It is real football joy that former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll shows as he plays for Bordeaux in the French fourth division.
Bourdeaux, which is one of the venerable clubs in France, including the old club of Zinedine Zidane, was unfortunate enough to be bought by Luxembourgish-Spanish businessman Gérard López in 2021 and as a result bankruptcy and downgrading to level four.
Just like with Fredrikstad when they were down in the divisions in Norway, fans flock to the games and make sure that the club has the wind in their sails as they started the long and hard journey back to the top of French football before the season.
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One of those who is on the journey is Andy Carrol who surprised everyone when he chose to play his last years as a professional for lice pay rather than take one of several very lucrative offers both in Saudi Arabia and the United States. – It is clear to see he has made the right choice. 36-year-old Andy Carroll is having a great time.
Carroll moved to France to play for Ligue 2 club Amiens in September 2023 after leaving Reading. After one season, he signed for Bordeaux, who have been relegated all the way down to the Championnat National 2 as punishment for serious financial problems that led to the club’s bankruptcy.
Carroll scored two goals on his debut for the club and has an impressive 10 goals in 15 appearances.
But the former England international earns far less now than in his heyday in the Premier League.
According to L’Equipe, Carroll earns just €1,614 gross a month – but he also has a bonus of €2,000 after reaching double figures in goal points following a double goal at the weekend, ending a five-game losing streak.
Amazingly, Carroll earns less than minimum wage to play for the semi-professional team and is considered a part-time employee.
Carroll has already revealed that he effectively pays to play football, but does so because of his love for the sport.
“To be honest, it actually costs me money to come and play for Bordeaux,” he told RMC Sport.
“But I play football, and I’m simply happy to play football. I want to be a part of this club’s history.”
“To be honest, it wasn’t a question of money. In my career, it has never been a question of money.”
Considering he once had a contract worth £80,000 a week, fans are shocked by Carroll’s current salary, but they also admire that he only wants to play football.
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One fan commented: “He just wants to enjoy playing football. Respect for the fact that he understands Bordeaux’s situation.”
Another wrote: “Love for the game.”
A third added: “Love for the game, and without having to care about fans and media. He can play football, get paid, go home and enjoy life.”
Another user agreed: “He’s already a multi-millionaire after ten years on £100,000 a week – now he can just play football for fun in a beautiful city and enjoy life with his family. He is a lucky man.”
It was previously reported that Carroll earned 3,500 euros, but he clarified to L’Equipe that it is “much less than that” and added that he rents “a nice little house, and the salary is less than the rent”
