The National League South side announced the signing of ex-England striker Andy Carroll within a couple of hours of the new takeover.
A consortium of private investors from Qatar has completed a takeover of English club Dagenham & Redbridge FC.
The shares were acquired in full by “prominent Qatari private investors” and were previously held by Club Underdog, a subsidiary of U.S.-based company North Six Group, the club announced on Saturday, without further details on the new investors.
The deal, however, is subject to approval by the country’s Football Association and the National League.
Former England international Andy Carroll was also announced as the club’s latest signing shortly after the acquisition was made official.
“It’s not every day a club can announce a new investor, a new kit, and a new striker, all in the same day,” the text in Carroll’s video announcement, posted by Degenhand & Redbridge, read. “But this is not just anyone — Andy Carroll is a Dagger.”
Based in Greater London, the side was relegated from the National League on the final day of the last season after finishing 21st in the 24-team format and currently competes in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.
‘We’re here to earn our place’
Carroll’s signing outlines a bold ambition for the side currently competing in English football’s sixth tier, with the new ownership promising to immediately strengthen the squad.
Asking the fans to remain patient for a long-term build-up, it added that more signings will follow to kick off the rebuild immediately.
“For many, this club is where parents bring their children, where memories are made across generations, and where pride in the badge runs deep,” the statement read.
“Relegation was not just a setback on the pitch. It changed how people felt walking through the gates. Rebuilding that pride will take time, transparency and action.”
The new board also announced a couple of administrative appointments to facilitate the transition, which will also be helped by the ex-owners of Club Underdog.
Youseph Al-Sharif was appointed as the Interim Chairman, and the club’s ex-captain, Anwar Uddin MBE, will take up the non-executive Director’s role. The duo will be backed by a board of investors with “expertise in football data and finance”, the club said.
“We’re stepping into something that matters to people’s lives, and we don’t take that lightly,” Al-Sharif said in a statement.
“We’re here to contribute properly and earn our place. This will take time, but we’re committed to building with care, ambition, and respect for everything Dagenham & Redbridge FC stands for.”
Carroll: ‘It’s never been about the money’
Carroll’s return to England in the sixth tier was a surprise move to many, as the six-foot-four-tall striker was a regular in the country’s premier competition during his heyday.
The 34-year-old striker has played for multiple clubs in the English top-flight: Liverpool, Newcastle United and West Ham United, earning nine caps for the national team in the process.
He was most recently with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France’s fourth tier, with Carroll frequently quipping that it would cost him money to play.
But his career has never been about money, which led him to sign for Dagenham & Redbridge FC, Carroll told Sky Sports.
“I could sign for a top club, but me and the manager might not see eye to eye, so I just want to be somewhere I’m going to be happy.
“It’s never been about the money for me, I could have signed for a lot more money. I just love playing football.”
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