Carroll seals 6th tier club move & jokes ‘my kids thought I was joining Chelsea’

ANDY CARROLL joked his kids thought he was joining Chelsea after sealing a shock move to... sixth-tier Dagenham and Redbridge!

The former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham striker, 36, will play in the National League South next season with the Essex club last night confirming a takeover by a Qatari investment group.

Ex-Three Lions ace Carroll is returning to England having left French fourth-tier club Bordeaux at the end of last month.

Carroll, who has also invested in the Daggers, said: “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’s a fantastic location and close to my kids, they will be able to come and see me play.

“I really enjoyed my time in Bordeaux but it’s time for me to get settled with my family.

“I’m hoping my kids will bring their friends to see me play.

“ 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.

“I want to help as many players and staff from my experience and background as possible.

“I was getting offers from clubs in France, Italy and Spain, but I wanted to come home.

“I could sign for a top club, but me and the managers might not see eye to eye, so I just want to be somewhere I’m going to be happy.”

Carroll - once a British record transfer when he signed for Liverpool in a £35million deal from Newcastle in 2011 - will be managed by ex-Bournemouth and Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury.

But having amassed a fortune playing in the Premier League, Carroll insists he is no longer motivated by money.

He said: “I’m very fortunate to be a footballer and earn the money that I’ve earned. I’m lucky to get paid for a hobby.

“It’s never been about the money for me, I could have signed for a lot more money. I just love playing football.”

Geordie Carroll won nine England caps, scoring twice, including a header against Sweden at Euro 2012.