Ex-West Brom, Reading and Newcastle United star Andy Carroll buys share in football club | OneFootball

Andy Carroll has taken a big step forward in the next step in his career

Andy Carroll spent time at the likes of West Brom, Reading and Newcastle United prior to taking the step down into non-league action with Dagenham & Redbridge.

The forward burst onto the scene as an exciting, target man forward with the Magpies, which earned him a sensational deadline day move to Liverpool in January 2011.

The deal was worth a reported £35 million, but the striker struggled to live up to the price tag and he lasted just 18 months at Anfield before moving to West Ham, initially on loan before agreeing a permanent switch.

Carroll spent a total of seven seasons with the Hammers, before returning to Newcastle.

The 37-year-old also had stints with West Brom and Reading, finally signing for French club Amiens prior to his landing spot at Dangenham & Redbridge.

Carroll joined the non-league club last summer, signing a three-year deal, and he has now shown even further commitment to the side as they set a long-term target of returning to the EFL.

Andy Carroll confirms investment into Dagenham & Redbridge

Dagenham & Redbridge have confirmed that Carroll has become an investor of the club after he initially joined on the basis of becoming a minority stakeholder.

The forward’s investment has been finalised months after his agreement to join the team, who are competing in the sixth tier of English football.

Carroll has outlined his ambitions for the team, with his sights set on returning Dagenham & Redbridge to the EFL.

The 37-year-old believes that this investment is just the start of his journey with the Daggers, and that his attachment to the team is now about more than just playing football.

“This is just the start, I can’t wait for the journey,” said Carrol, via a statement posted on his Instagram account.

“I am incredibly proud to finally have everything signed and confirmed.

“When I joined the Daggers, I said it was about more than just playing.

“I’m excited to continue the work to restore this club to the Football League where it belongs.”

Dagenham & Redbridge have been out of the EFL since suffering relegation from League Two in 2016.

The club suffered relegation from the National League last season, and have their long-term sights set on getting back into the top four divisions.

However, the team are currently 13th in the National League South this season, and promotion back to the fifth tier at the first attempt is looking like quite a long shot at this stage.

Carroll has contributed six goals and two assists from his 12 appearances in the league since joining the Daggers in July.

Andy Carroll investment is the start of the next step in his career

Carroll’s playing days are now into their final few years, and he has extended his career by a few years by dropping down to the sixth tier of English football.

But he now has a clear plan for life after he hangs up his boots, as he will have a strong interest in the progress Dagenham & Redbridge make even after he finally retires in a couple of years.

Their ambitions are quite clear, but returning to the EFL will be a long-term process, as they still need to get back into the National League first before they can think about League Two.

If Carroll can stay fit and continue to score consistently, then he could play a pretty important role on the pitch in helping his investment in the club off the pitch become a success, making this quite a unique setup in football.