National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge have announced the signing of former England striker Andy Carroll, via their official X account.
Carroll joins after a season in France with Girondins Bordeaux.
Statement Signing By Daggers
Andy Carroll may have had his critics over the years, not least for his injury record during his time at West Ham United, but he is a former England international who represented his country at the European Championships in 2012 and once cost Liverpool the princely sum of £35 million.
Of course, that doesn’t guarantee success in 2025 but Carroll was still scoring goals last season, leading the attack for a Bordeaux side whose club was being rebuilt from the bottom after financial irregularities led to multiple relegations.
In the Championnat National 2, the fourth tier of French football, Carroll scored 11 times in 21 matches as Bordeaux finished fourth. The former Newcastle United striker first went out to France in 2023, joining Ligue 2 side Amiens after his Reading contract expired.
New Era For The Daggers
The announcement of Andy Carroll’s signing followed hot on the heels of the club statement regarding new ownership, as Club Underdog have agreed to sell the club to a Qatari investors group.
Dagenham’s new owners had promised more signings in their statement and immediately delivered with the 36-year-old.
The ex-Football League club suffered an embarrassing relegation to the National League South last season and is in the process of rebuilding the club and regaining the trust of supporters.
Former Bournemouth striker Lee Bradbury has been installed as the manager and he has brought with him former Bath City boss Jerry Gill who will act as assistant.
Carroll joins a growing list of new arrivals, becoming the 11th addition so far this summer. He follows the likes of Ashley Hemmings, who returns for a second spell at the club, and DR Congo centre back Christian Maghoma in signing on for the Daggers’ promotion challenge.
By capturing the signature of Carroll, the Daggers have added some much-needed experience to the squad and someone who young strikers like Dylan Stephenson can learn from.
Transfermarkt states that Carroll has signed a contract that will run until 2028.
Writer’s View
This certainly is something of a statement signing by the Dagenham & Redbridge owners. Carroll seems eager to continue his career and his robust style should lend itself to the National League South.
Whether his quality can then shine through and propel the Daggers up the league will be watched intently by many.
