Andy Carroll currently plays in the French fourth division.Picture: www.imago-images.de
French traditional club Gironde Bordeaux had to file for bankruptcy this summer and now only plays in the fourth-highest league. But now they have familiar reinforcements.
A six-time French champion, Girondins Bordeaux are one of the most famous clubs in France. Due to financial problems, Bordeaux had to declare bankruptcy in the summer, thus losing their professional status. This also meant that all professional contracts were terminated and Bordeaux had to form a new team.
In recent years, Bordeaux has fallen deeper and deeper into crisis.Picture: www.imago-images.de
The new league got off to a rocky start, with France picking up just two points after three games. But thanks to, among other things, a new signing, Bordeaux have been able to pick up seven points from their last three games.
Find your way to victory with Andy Carroll
The new top striker is none other than Andy Carroll. The 35-year-old has made a total of 248 appearances in the Premier League during his career and moved to Liverpool from Newcastle United for £41 million in the winter of 2011. Carroll has repeatedly battled injuries and the towering forward has only played in the second and third leagues in England and France in recent years. His last stop before moving to Bordeaux was second division club SC Amiens.
Carroll made his first appearance for Bordeaux and convinced Bordeaux with two goals, helping Bordeaux regain a point after falling behind 0-2. In games two and three, the Englishman led his new team to their first two wins of the season, scoring a further three goals in total. Despite relegation, over 10,000 spectators continue to attend the Heritage club's home games.
Playing football is fun
Speaking to RMC Sport, Carroll explained his decision to now play in France's fourth tier. According to the former England international, who earns €3,500 a month, it costs a lot of money to play for Bordeaux. But that didn't matter to him, as he himself said:
“My career has never been about money. I'm happy playing football and I want to be part of the history of this club. Level doesn't matter.”
Bordeaux and Carroll's next game is already this weekend. In the Coupe de France, their opponent was the lower-tier team Atlantique Médoc. (Ritz)
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