Simple is better for happy Carroll

Former England player has been enjoying his new life after a choice made out of 'love of football'

Many eyebrows raised across the globe when it was announced in September that Andy Carroll had signed for amateur fourth-tier French club Bordeaux, but the ex-Liverpool star told AFP that he made the move for the "love of football".

"I love a challenge," said Carroll in an interview on Thursday.

"I think it's something that I thrive on. I love trying to make myself better and challenge myself to do better things.