Andy Carroll linked with SHOCK move to non-league side after ending his stint in France with Bordeaux to be a closer to his family

Former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has been linked with a shock move to non-league side Chelsmford City. 

The sixth-tier outfit's manager Angelo Harrop remained tight lipped when questioned about the former England international, who is a free agent after leaving Bordeaux at the end of last season. 

'No comment,' Harrop told the Non-League Paper. 'I am really happy with what we've got in. We've got real quality, a lot of youth, a lot of players really hungry, which is great. They're all good ages as well.

'We believe there is a lot of development in all those players we've signed and that's the DNA we're going to go with. We've got some young players who have played a lot of games already.'

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 Amiens the previous season.

Last month, Bordeaux 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'.

The striker 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.

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

He has 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.

Chelmsford City's reported interest in the striker comes as the club transition into operating as a full-time club this summer. 

City finished 11th out of 24 teams in the National League South last term with 62 points, 17 outside of the play-off positions.

Boss Harrop added: 'My only worry for us is, we've got a brand new squad so we've got to knit together very quickly, and we're probably only going to run with a maximum of 17 or 18 first team players. 

'But Rome wasn't built in a day. The football club has already made massive strides in the last two months. We're trying to build a proper football club that will be successful over many years.'