Former Liverpool star Andy Carroll ‘returning home’ to England early

Former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has left Bordeaux after one season as he looks to ‘return home’ to England to be closer to his children.

The 36-year-old was a fan favourite in his single campaign at the club after dropping down the divisions and taking a huge pay cut, even revealing that he was losing money by playing for them.

Carroll scored 11 goals in 23 matches last season as Bordeaux finished fourth in the National 2, France’s fourth divison.

It was second season in France having netted four times in 35 appearances for second tier Amiens the previous season. 

Bordeaux on Friday confirmed the former England international had departed to ‘return home’ and be closer to his five children.  

The six-time Ligue 1 champions issued a gushing statement thanking him for his ‘generous personality’ and for ‘showing total commitment’.

‘FC Girondins de Bordeaux would like to warmly thank Andy Carroll for his time at the club this season,’ they said.

‘Having arrived last summer with a desire to take on a new challenge, Andy did not hesitate to join the Gironde to try the Bordeaux adventure, showing total commitment from his first days.

‘On the pitch, the English striker scored 11 goals in 21 league matches. But beyond the statistics, Andy brought his experience, physical impact, and professionalism to his role on a daily basis, both in the locker room and during important matches. Off the pitch, he is an exceptional and generous personality that the Club’s fans and employees have enjoyed working alongside.

‘Today, to be closer to his children, Andy has chosen to return home. We fully understand and respect this personal decision.

‘Thanks for everything, Andy. You’ll always be home here. Safe travels and see you soon!’

Carroll responded with a simple message to the club’s Twitter account, writing ‘Je t’aime [I love you]’.

The forward’s next move is uncertain but is unlikely to retire after admitting that he would like to continue playing into his 40s.

Bordeaux are one of France’s most succesful teams, last winning Ligue 1 in 2009, and boast a 42,000-seater stadium.

But they were forced down the divisions due to severe financial struggles. 

They were relegated from Ligue 1 in the 2021/22 season before being banished to the fourth division last year, after filing for administration and losing their professional licence. 

Carroll was said to earn less than €2,500 (£2,140) a month at the cash strapped club – a far cry from the £80,000-a-week he raked it at Anfield.  

 ‘I’m actually spending more money to be at Bordeaux than I am earning, basically,’ Carroll told The Athletic in October. ‘My rent is more than what I’m taking in. That’s before eating, driving, flying. It was the same at Reading, where my apartment was more than my wages. I don’t care about the money.’ 

The ex-Liverpool star started his career at Newcastle before earning a £35m switch to the Reds in 2011.

He played for England nine times, scoring at the 2012 Euros.

The striker had spells at West Ham, West Brom, Reading and returned to Newcastle before moving to Amiens in September 2023. 

Carroll had three children with ex-partner Billi Mucklow during an 11 year relationship with the former The Only Way Is Essex star.

The 36-year-old also has two children from a past relationship.

He is now in a relationship with make up artist Lou Teasdale.