Andy Carroll, 36, completes surprise move to sixth-tier London side and takes minority share in the club just hours after they are taken over by Qatari consortium
The former England international became a free agent after leaving Bordeaux at the end of last season, but has decided to return to his home country to be closer to his family.
Carroll became a fan favourite in his single campaign in the south of France after dropping down the divisions and taking a huge pay cut, even revealing that he was losing money by playing for them.
The 36-year-old 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 club Amiens the previous season.
Last month, Bordeaux confirmed Caroll 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'.
The striker started his career at Newcastle before earning a £35m switch to Liverpool in 2011. He played for England nine times, scoring at the 2012 Euros.
Carroll also had spells at West Ham, West Brom, Reading and returned to Newcastle before moving to Amiens in September 2023.
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Telegraph
11 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Steak is a breakfast food and 20 other things I learnt on England's tour of Argentina
After 16 days, two provinces and three cities, the Argentinian voyage comes to an end. An under-strength England have defeated Argentina in both Tests – in La Plata and San Juan – extending their unbeaten run over Los Pumas on their own patch since the 2009 loss in Salta. It was my first time in Argentina, a country famed for the passion of its people and the heartiness of its food and drink. Experiencing this country, as well as following England's movements – not to mention, success – in it, was a privilege. Here is what I learnt, both on and off the rugby field, from an unforgettable trip. 1. George Ford is England's best option at fly-half – that is not controversial A case can be made for all of them but I saw enough of Ford's influence on this tour, both in matches and at training, to know that England were not lacking for having three fly-halves with the Lions. Steve Borthwick has a real selection headache on the horizon come the autumn. It is not just at fly-half where Borthwick has positive quandaries, however, but in the back row, back three and, maybe, the front row, too. After the second Test victory, Borthwick said: 'You can see that we have a number of world-class flankers and we have got to have them in the team because of how much they add in terms of breakdown speed, how much they add in attack, so I think they have to be in the team.' 2. Lee Blackett is a brilliant coach He will one day either coach international rugby or return to becoming a truly great club head coach. He worked closely with Ford on this tour and England's attacking shape and strategy, even if the execution occasionally let them down, had the Pumas at sixes and sevens. In training, Blackett was influential and it should come as no surprise that he ended last season as a Premiership winner with Bath. 3. Blackett is also a very good padel player His partnering with Byron McGuigan, another coach temporarily seconded to England for this trip, was fearsome. The final score, when they took on the travelling media, is irrelevant. 4. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is a rocket A rusty one, albeit, but a rocket nonetheless. His strike-running during training was a class above, even if occasionally the skill level let him down. Admittedly, he has only played 34 minutes of rugby in 2025. 5. England's defence was immense in Argentina Joe El-Abd, heavily involved in last weekend's training session, deserves credit alongside McGuigan. 6. England's team spirit looked potent and impregnable Naturally, I was not in amongst it as some of the players and coaching staff, but after the second Test victory in San Juan, Borthwick spoke about how impressed he had been by it. The head coach stopped short of saying it was the best he had seen, but there was a suggestion: 'I want to bottle the spirit of La Plata, the spirit of San Juan, and take it with us wherever we go.' 7. Argentina's reputation for steak is deserved The cuts are all different, it is nearly mostly cooked over charcoal (asado) and, sometimes, they can be a little tougher than European steaks. But they were always juicy, the flavour always supreme. And, at my hotel in La Plata, the city in which England won the first Test, it was served at breakfast on weekends. And, yes, I did have it. The Malbec was as pleasant as everyone says, too. 'When in Rome' and all that... 8. Carlos Nieto's pub was almost worth the trip to La Plata alone La Plata's cathedral was opulent and magnificent, but there was not much going on in the city. Except steak, of course. And except La Rabieta, the pub owned by Nieto, the former Italy, Gloucester and Saracens prop. Although, don't foolishly get yourself in a round with him (as I did). It does not end well. 9. La Plata's pavements are death traps They all need re-laying. They must have laid waste to many an ankle in their time. 10. Driving nears total anarchy In both La Plata and San Juan, no one has any clue whose right of way it is; not drivers, nor pedestrians. There are very few road markings, even fewer give way signs. I lost count of the number of times I swore while walking about each city; I also lost count at the number of times taxi drivers laughed at me while I was swearing as their passenger. Buenos Aires, the capital, was slightly better, in that there was the occasional regulation pedestrian crossing. With that seemingly overrated invention (in Argentina, at least) of red and green men. 11. Tax is both baffling and seemingly optional Many places brazenly advertise discounts for both bank transfer and cash payments while one taxi driver told me that if I wanted an invoice I would have to pay a 15 per cent increased fare. There is an extremely cavalier attitude towards tax on goods, and yet when I paid on card for a solitary bottle of Diet Coke in a supermarket I had to input my passport number at the self-checkout. All very odd. 12. England are building World Cup-winning depth They are not there yet – and I am not saying that they are favourites (or even close) for the World Cup in 2027 as things stand, but they are tracking nicely. 13. Argentina adores rugby I arrived expecting football to be dominant here and rugby to be a minority sport. While football is by far and away the most popular, rugby is bigger than I was expecting, with a loyal, zealous fanbase. 14. Los Pumas need to find some props Desperately. England had the upper hand at the scrum in the first Test, Argentina then changed their props entirely for the second and the same outcome was achieved. For a nation with such a fearsome reputation for scrummaging, it was quite concerning. However, there are high hopes for their under-20s front row, who have impressed in the World Championships in Italy. 15. Tom Harrison loves scrums and loves talking about them Chatting to him about his scrum session was the most engaging and captivating I have seen him in an England media session. He was in his element. His front-rowers could not have done him prouder, either. 16. Lock remains an area of concern for England Charlie Ewels and Alex Coles did little wrong on the Argentina tour but Borthwick opted to go without out-and-out lock cover on the bench. Chandler Cunningham-South, covering second row, only featured for 20 minutes across the two Tests and there was no spot for Nick Isiekwe or Arthur Clark. Admittedly, Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are with the Lions and George Martin is injured but England need to, at least, develop some locks with Test potential – and sharpish. 17. Freddie Steward remains a Test class full-back Steward has strengths and weaknesses but he proved that he still has what it takes at the highest level after becoming more of a fringe player over the past two years. After a season working with Peter Hewat at Leicester, Steward is moving the ball more freely and swiftly, too. 18. Five-three benches will become a thing of the past Borthwick may well revert to that for the match against the US on Sunday but the second Test in San Juan proved how much value the head coach places in a 6:2 bench split (he's only picked 6:2 benches all year). On Saturday that formation was preferred even with Ben Spencer covering fly-half, a position in which he never started a professional match. 19. England are likely to have a favourable World Cup draw Borthwick's side are currently ranked fifth in the world and need to be in the top six by the end of November. That now looks likely, given Australia and Argentina are in the hunt and face some of the best teams in the world before the deadline. 20. There was barely any Falklands-related hostility Even when I told people I was from England or London, nothing changed. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I was not expecting much, but the only reference to Las Malvinas which I either saw or heard on the whole trip was a solitary banner draped over some trees close to the stadium for the first Test. No one paid it much attention, either. Thankfully, that was it. 21. The Argentine population is hospitable and convivial England experienced it in the way that Club San Luis hosted them in La Plata – not just for training, but for an asado dinner, too – and I experienced it everywhere I went. They might be a fiery, rebellious people, but they also could never do enough to help. It is born out of pride for their country; they wanted me to see that pride. And I did. After Blackett and McGuigan had trounced all and sundry at padel, the manager of the courts was so embarrassed at not taking payment by card – not that he had any obligation to deign to our metropolitan ways – that he drove to my hotel a day later to gift me two bottles of local Malbec, to apologise for the payment inconvenience. Thanks for those, Jorge; they were delicious. And, in a wonderfully wacky way, your country is fabulous.
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Women's Euro 2025 live: England handed key advantage after thrashing Wales to reach quarter-finals
England ran riot against Wales in their final Euro 2025 group stage match to ensure the Lionesses cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 win. The holders will play Sweden in a tough quarter-final next, but have landed on the kinder side of the draw by finishing the group stage as runners-up and they will avoid playing Spain until at least the final. England were prepared for a 'derby' against the tournament debutants Wales, who are the lowest-ranked team at the Euros, but Sarina Wiegman's produced a professional performance to ease past their opponents with all of Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway and Aggie Beever-Jones grabbing goals. It capped an excellent recovery from the Lionesses after losing their opening game of the tournament to France, with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands and a 6-1 destruction of Wales setting up another push for the title. 'It probably was the best thing that could have happened to us as a team,' forward Mead said. 'I think it motivated us. We're now in a position where we're building quite nicely and hopefully we can continue that momentum now into the quarterfinals.' Who and when do England play next? Route to Women's Euro 2025 final England have successfully reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 after recovering from their opening defeat to France to finish as runners-up in Group D. The Lionesses faced the danger of an early elimination after their 2-1 defeat to France but bounced back to impressively defeat the Netherlands 4-0 a few days later. A 6-1 victory over Wales secured England's place in the knockout stages - even if a strong France team go through as Group D winners after avoiding defeat to the Netherlands and winning 5-2. England now know their path to the Euro 2025 final in Basel, and the Lionesses have actually landed on the opposite side of the draw as world champions Spain and cannot play the tournament favourites until the final. Who and when do England play next? Route to Women's Euro 2025 final England now know their path to the Euro 2025 final in Basel after reaching the quarter-finals 14 July 2025 08:11 Why England were right to show no mercy in ruthless destruction of Wales at Euro 2025 For a Wales team who have brought so much passion, colour and pride to Euro 2025, this was no way to go home. As one, Wales stood in front of their Red Wall in St Gallen, and there is certainly no disgrace in losing to England, France and the Netherlands in what was their major tournament debut. But England had to be ruthless, and a 6-1 win to finish the group stage sends a message. 'Sweden should be scared,' said Ella Toone, and this performance showed why as Sarina Wiegman's side returned to their destructive best with the biggest win of Euro 2025 so far. Why England were right to show no mercy in ruthless destruction of Wales England 6-1 Wales: The Lionesses were at times back to their ruthless best as they sent Wales home and advanced to the quarter-finals in style Jamie Braidwood14 July 2025 08:10 England thrash Wales before an unspoken boost ignites Euro 2025 hopes England claim the biggest win of Euro 2025 so far, at 6-1, and yet the victory that might have been most significant for them on the night was perhaps in Basel. France's 5-2 comeback against the Netherlands ensured Sarina Wiegman's team finished second, to go into what looks like the more forgiving side of the draw. Sweden will, of course, offer a very tough quarter-final - especially after their own statement display against Germany - but there's no Spain there. It's much less open. The cheers that greeted the announcement of second place said enough. Wiegman won't allow any of that kind of thinking, as England more than displayed in this ruthless win over Wales. England thrash Wales before an unspoken boost ignites Euro 2025 hopes England 6-1 Wales: Sarina Wiegman's team produced a display with the fierce focus that has been present at their best previously and now the Lionesses must prepare for a quarter-final against Sweden on Thursday Miguel Delaney14 July 2025 08:09 Euro 2025 schedule in full Semi-final 1: Winner of Match 26 vs Winner of Match 25 Semi-final 2: Winner of Match 28 vs Winner of Match 27 Final: Sunday, 27 July at 5pm BST - Basel Women's Euro 2025 fixtures, results and group tables Defending champions England take on France, Netherlands and debutants Wales in the 'group of death' Chris Wilson13 July 2025 23:50 Quarter-finals in full (all matches kick off at 8pm BST) Norway vs Italy – 16 July, Geneva Sweden vs England – 17 July, Zurich Spain vs Switzerland – 18 July, Bern France vs Germany – 19 July, Basel Chris Wilson13 July 2025 23:40 Fishlock speaks Wales captain Jess Fishlock also spoke to ITV. 'It's disappointing with that scoreline and we have to just keep learning and move on now and in the next campaigns keep moving forwards and keep getting to major tournaments,' she says. "This is the beginning of a journey for us and we have been here and played three of the best teams in the world and found how big that jump is. We have to keep investing and keep building to make sure this isn't just a one-off. "We can still celebrate being here and what it means for this nation and then we have to keep getting better. For me, I don't know right now. I don't know. "It is tough when you work so hard and you concede things you know are going to happen. It is hard sometimes to understand that in the game, and we have to get back to the drawing board. I am still really proud of this group,' she adds as she finishes. Chris Wilson13 July 2025 23:30 Wilkinson reacts Wales's goal difference of minus-11 is the worst in the history of the Women's Euros group stages. Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson says that the country have to continue to 'grow and learn'. "It is a hard one. We know this was not our game and we were outplayed and I was outcoached. It's a moment when you know you will take a lot from it. I wouldn't want to stand with any other team. There is a gap between us and the top teams, and that's my job, to try and close that gap,' she says. "I just want to thank the support. It was a tough game to stay loud and they did. We know we have got some work to do and this is not a team that is ready for tournament football too. I have got to be sharper too. "Grow and learn, that is what we have got to do. I am glad we got the goal and we know we will put our heads down and continue working,' she adds as she finishes. Chris Wilson13 July 2025 23:20 Who and when do England play next? Route to Women's Euro 2025 final England have successfully reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 after recovering from their opening defeat to France to finish as runners-up in Group D. The Lionesses faced the danger of an early elimination after their 2-1 defeat to France but bounced back to impressively defeat the Netherlands 4-0 a few days later. A 6-1 victory over Wales secured England's place in the knockout stages - even if a strong France team go through as Group D winners after avoiding defeat to the Netherlands and winning 5-2. England now know their path to the Euro 2025 final in Basel, and the Lionesses have actually landed on the opposite side of the draw as world champions Spain and cannot play the tournament favourites until the final. Who and when do England play next? Route to Women's Euro 2025 final England now know their path to the Euro 2025 final in Basel after reaching the quarter-finals Chris Wilson13 July 2025 23:10 Why were England awarded a penalty against Wales at Women's Euro 2025? England were awarded a controversial penalty in their Euro 2025 match against Wales as a foul on Georgia Stanway was ruled to have taken place inside the box. Danish referee Frida Klarlund initially awarded a free-kick when Carrie Jones was ruled to have clipped Stanway close to the 18-yard line, with the England midfielder falling outside the area. However, after a long delay, the VAR decided that the foul on Stanway took place inside the box and referee Klarlund pointed to the spot. Stanway kept her cool to fire England in front. Why were England awarded a penalty against Wales at Women's Euro 2025? Chris Wilson13 July 2025 23:00 FT: England 6-1 Wales England coach Sarina Wiegman now has the most wins by any manager at the Women's Euros. This was her 14th at the competitions as coach of Netherlands and England, overtaking ex-Germany boss Christina Theune-Meyer. Chris Wilson13 July 2025 22:30
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Reece James delighted as Chelsea make ‘big statement' with Club World Cup win
Reece James felt Chelsea made 'a big statement' to their rivals by producing a major upset to beat Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final. Cole Palmer scored two brilliant goals and created a third for Joao Pedro – all in the first half – as the Blues shocked the Champions League winners, who were seeking a fifth trophy of the season, to win 3-0. After a turbulent few years at Stamford Bridge following the takeover of 2022, it provided further evidence of a Blues revival after the Conference League triumph in May. 'I think for sure we are moving in the right direction, winning this trophy against such good opposition,' said Chelsea captain James. 'So it's a big statement. 'I'm happy with how much the club has progressed and how next season you know we'll be competing in the Premier League, to win the title and compete and to go far in the Champions League as well. 'I think this showed how far our club has come. We've had a difficult few years, not competing in the Champions League. 'This was the best team we faced and we knew it was going to be tough but the team was ready, and I think we showed that.' Chelsea had been written off in many quarters before the game with PSG, who famously thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final in May, having routed Real Madrid 4-0 just four days previously. Yet their victory was thoroughly deserved and Palmer had already gone close to scoring before taking charge of the game with his quickfire double of goals scored in the 22nd and 30th minutes. He then set up Pedro, the £60million signing who only joined the club mid-tournament, for his third goal in the last two games before half-time. There was no way back for the Ligue 1 champions, whose frustration was compounded late on as Joao Neves was sent off for a petulant tug on Marc Cucurella's hair. Tempers boiled over as scuffles broke out after the final whistle and one involving PSG coach Luis Enrique ended with Pedro on the ground. There was a further surreal postscript as United States President Donald Trump, there to present the winners with the trophy, decided to stay on stage to join Chelsea's celebrations. Yet while that made for a peculiar ending to the tournament, James' main thoughts were on his achievement and what could come next. 'It's amazing for me,' said the 25-year-old, who has overcome a series of injury setbacks. 'Since I was a little boy I supported this team. 'I just wanted to play for this club. Just once would have been enough for me, so to captain the team and to lead them to two trophies this season, it's been a dream for me. 'We beat the champions of Europe. For sure it gives us confidence and I am looking forward to the future.'
