It feels like an entire lifetime has passed since Andy Carroll was signed to Newcastle United for the second time in his career under Steve Bruce.
Since then, both the player and the club have been on very different paths. We’ve of course gone on to enjoy our takeover, reach the Champions League twice, and even win the Carabao Cup along the way.
Carroll meanwhile has embarked on one of the great journeyman stories in recent memory, having played for Reading, West Brom, Amiens and Bordeaux since leaving Tyneside back in 2021.
But there’s now been a fresh twist in the twilight of Carroll’s career, as he’s making big moves both on and off the pitch in a truly surprising move.
News broke this weekend that Qatari owners had secured a full takeover off sixth tier National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, promising to immediately develop and strengthen the squad in a statement.
And the club immediately kept its promise, with former Magpie Carroll announced as the first signing of the new regime, not only joining their playing squad at the age of 36 but securing a stake in the club!
Having left French fourth division side Bordeaux last month, it’s a return to England for the former Three Lions star, who has signed a three-year deal.
On the move, Carroll commented: “I’m really excited to get started with Dagenham. My kids thought I was signing for Chelsea, they’ll be in for a shock!”
It has been confirmed that as well as being a new player for Dagenham and Redbridge, Carroll will also be a shareholder in the club alongside the Qataris.
The Geordie striker narrowly missed out on playing for us in the first season post our own Middle East takeover, so this is looking like it’ll be a completely novel experience for the striker.
On his new position, the former £35m man added “I didn’t want to finish playing football and I’m really excited to get involved in the leadership side and be a player. I’ve got experience in seeing how clubs are run, of all levels. I think I can add value.”
“My first job is to go in as a player, I want to get them promoted. I was offered clubs with a lot more money, but I realised Dagenham was a project that I really wanted to get into.”
Though it was always unlikely we would call upon Carroll this summer to help meet certain homegrown quotas in the league and Champions League, but it’s exciting to see a former player take on such a different role in his lengthy career.