Former Liverpool and West Ham Striker Begins New Chapter at Dagenham & Redbridge | OneFootball

Andy Carroll Finds Purpose with Dagenham & Redbridge

Veteran Forward Embraces New Challenge

Andy Carroll’s football journey has never followed a straight line. Once a £35 million record signing for Liverpool, the former England striker is now preparing for the upcoming National League South campaign with Dagenham & Redbridge, a club recently relegated to the sixth tier of English football. And yet, speaking ahead of the move, Carroll’s words were neither bitter nor regretful. “The level does not matter, I just want to get on the pitch and play football,” he told Sky Sports.

This is not a story of decline, but of rediscovery. After spells in France with Amiens and Bordeaux, where he scored 11 goals in 23 appearances last season, Carroll is returning home with a renewed hunger. “I have more excitement now than I ever have; I just love playing football and want to show everyone I’m just playing for the love of football rather than the levels.”

From Anfield to Victoria Road

Carroll’s move to Liverpool in January 2011 remains one of the Premier League’s most dramatic deadline-day transfers. Having scored 11 goals for Newcastle in the first half of that season, the towering striker was whisked to Merseyside for a British record fee. His spell at Anfield delivered 11 goals in 58 appearances, including a winner in the FA Cup semi-final, but was ultimately disrupted by injuries and inconsistency.

A more settled period followed at West Ham United, where Carroll netted 34 goals across seven seasons. He later returned to Newcastle before short stints with West Bromwich Albion and Reading. Though the spotlight dimmed, Carroll’s career never lost its curiosity. Few players have packed as many twists into one footballing narrative.

His recent return from France, where he played in Ligue 2 and the French fourth tier with Amiens and Bordeaux respectively, suggests a man still looking to contribute. Bordeaux’s administrative relegation to Championnat National 2 did little to deter Carroll, who continued to deliver with double figures in goals.

New Ownership Brings Ambition

Carroll’s arrival in east London coincides with significant change at Dagenham & Redbridge. The club, who last played League Two football in 2016, confirmed on Saturday that they have been purchased by a Qatari consortium, subject to FA and National League approvals. Youseph Al Sharif has been named interim chairman, with former captain Anwar Uddin joining the board as a non-executive director.

Photo: IMAGO

It is clear that Carroll has not simply joined a club for minutes on the pitch. He has joined a project. “We have a project here to get the club out of the non-league,” he said. The goal is clear, and Carroll’s presence instantly raises the club’s profile as they attempt to bounce back from their recent relegation.

Football Without Ego

What sets Carroll apart now is his refusal to chase the spotlight. “I had clubs ringing me up from higher leagues but it has to be the right fit and what I want to do, rather than it being higher up or for more money.” It is a reminder that beneath the headlines, transfer fees and tabloid attention, some players still carry football in their bones.

He is 36 now, no longer the rising star from Newcastle’s academy, but still a commanding presence and a compelling character. Dagenham & Redbridge may feel a world away from the roar of Anfield or the bustle of Upton Park, but for Carroll, the pitch remains a place of purpose. In a career shaped by highs and setbacks, his latest move offers a fitting reminder that passion endures longer than prestige.