Forgotten £35m Liverpool flop joins AMATEUR club FSG tried to buy

A player Liverpool signed for £35 million back in 2011 has made a sensational transfer, joining the club FSG failed to buy over the summer.

Liverpool owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), were looking to add another football club to their ownership group over the summer, restructuring the football side of their company in order to make it happen, with former Liverpool sporting directors Michael Edwards and Julian Ward both taking up roles.

Read more: Liverpool's battle for £110m star

Andy Carroll completes Bordeaux transfer

Andy Carroll joined Liverpool for a then club-record fee of £35 million from Newcastle in 2011 [The Guardian], a record he held until Mohamed Salah joined years later.

Despite a couple of good moments, including an FA Cup semi-final winner against Everton, Carroll flattered to deceive in a Liverpool shirt and managed a measly six Premier League goals in two and a half years at the club.

The Reds cut their losses and he moved to West Ham for just £15 million.

The striker has had spells at Reading and West Brom in recent years, however has struggled to nail down a place, and will now link up with Bordeaux, who announced his signing this morning on a free transfer.

In a statement, Bordeaux said: "His size, his goal-scoring talent and his fighting spirit will certainly help the Navy and White this season.

"We can't wait to see him on the pitch!"

The 35-year-old has dropped two divisions from Amiens, despite playing in all four of their games so far this season, and Bordeaux will be hoping the Geordie striker manages more than the four goals he got for Amiens in 35 games.

What happened to FSG's Bordeaux deal?

FSG's main target was French side Girondins de Bordeaux, and a deal looked close, but the deal collapsed late on. Bordeaux claimed it was because of fees regarding the stadium and the uncertain finances overall in French football.

Bordeaux released a statement saying:

"FC Girondins de Bordeaux and its shareholder have been informed by Fenway Sports Group of its desire not to pursue discussions initiated in recent weeks with a view to purchasing the club.

"This decision is explained in particular by the significant cost of the stadium in the years to come, but also by the general economic context of French football. FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Gérard Lopez thank Fenway Sports Group for the interest shown in the club as well as its teams for travelling to meet its stakeholders."

This decision meant Bordeaux went bankrupt, and the six-time French league winners, had to forfeit their professional status and start this season in Championnat National 2, the fourth division of French Football, where they currently sit second from the bottom.