Few would have predicted Andy Carroll's next career move when he joined Liverpool for £35million in 2011. Once a highly sought-after striker, the 35-year-old has dropped down the football pyramid in recent years, and he will now ply his trade in the fourth tier of French football.

Bordeaux have confirmed the signing of Carroll on social media, writing: "Welcome Andy Carroll. The club is delighted to welcome the England international striker. He has a wealth of high-level experience with almost 450 professional games, making him an ideal addition to Bordeaux's attack."

Historically one of France's biggest clubs, the six-time Ligue 1 champions were relegated to the fourth tier after declaring bankruptcy in July, and lost their professional status.

But Carroll, who was capped nine times by England, appears undeterred by this and is now poised to head to the Championnat National 2 side. The former Newcastle and Liverpool striker has been persuaded to join Bordeaux by the current Amiens' sporting director, John Williams.

Despite still holding his position at the Ligue 2 outfit, Williams has reportedly been involved at Bordeaux this summer, helping them to rebuild a new squad to compete in their new league. And having previously convinced Carroll to make the move to Amiens from Reading last summer, Williams looks set to do the same again. Should he make the move, the former giants would mark the eighth club the Englishman has played for in his career.

A Look Back at Carroll's Career

After making his first-team debut for Newcastle aged just 17, the academy graduate went on to make a name for himself at St James' Park. The 6ft 4in frontman netted 11 goals in 20 Premier League games in the first half of the 2010/11 campaign, earning him a January move to Liverpool for a then-record fee for a British player.

Carroll's form also saw him receive international recognition, making his England debut in November 2020, before going on to score once for the Three Lions at Euro 2012. Unfortunately, persistent injury and fitness troubles hampered his progress and he was unable to rediscover his earlier form at Anfield, being ultimately sold to West Ham in 2012.

It was a similar story in east London for Carroll, who found the net 34 times in 142 games before returning to Newcastle in 2018. A move back to his first club did little to reignite his spark in front of goal, scoring just once in two years, before spells in the EFL with Reading and West Brom between 2021 and 2023.

Dropping Down the Divisions:

Carroll's last appearance in English football came for Reading in 2023. Since then, he has been playing in France.

Carroll, 35, has dropped two divisions in France's football pyramid, despite playing in all four of Amiens' Ligue 2 matches this term. He scored four goals in 35 appearances since joining the club in September 2023 on a free transfer from Reading.

In a statement, Bordeaux said: "His size, his goal-scoring talent and his fighting spirit will certainly help the Navy and White this season. We can't wait to see him on the pitch!"

Six-time Ligue 1 winners Bordeaux surrendered their status as a professional club in July after being relegated out of Ligue 2 down to Championnat National 2 due to bankruptcy.

Across his Premier League career, Carroll scored 54 goals in 248 appearances during spells with Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham. For England, Carroll scored twice in nine caps, one of which was against Sweden at Euro 2012.

Carroll's Next Challenge:

Despite the drop in league, Carroll is excited for the new chapter in his career.

While the new league is composed mainly of semi-professional and amateur teams, Carroll would be taking to the field in a 42,000-capacity stadium - a marked improvement on Amiens' 12,097 seats. Having failed to make an impact in the French second tier, with four goals in 31 appearances, the Englishman's likely next destination is a far cry from the heights he hit early on in his playing days.

But with a move to the French fourth tier after just a year in Ligue 2, Carroll will be hoping to draw on his past experiences to help kickstart Bordeaux's journey back to the top.

A New Beginning for Bordeaux:

Bordeaux are six-time champions of France and reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2009-10 but have endured financial difficulties in recent years. The club were placed into administration in 2021 and were relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2021-22 season.

The club counts French greats Zinedine Zidane and Jean Tigana among their former players, and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is a recent product of their youth system. They have already recruited former Newcastle winger Amadou Diallo this summer and have begun the season with two draws and a loss.

A Second Chance for a Giant:

Carroll's arrival could be a turning point for Bordeaux.

The club, known for its rich history, are hoping to rebuild their squad and get back to their former glory. With Carroll's experience and goal-scoring ability, they could be in for a successful season.

While many may be surprised by Carroll's latest move, it is a testament to his commitment to the sport and his desire to continue playing.

His journey, from Premier League star to Championnat National 2, shows that even in the twilight of his career, he is still looking for challenges and opportunities to succeed.

And while he may not be playing for the biggest clubs anymore, he is still a name that resonates with football fans around the world.

Whether he can help Bordeaux climb the divisions remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Andy Carroll is a player who never gives up.