ANDY CARROLL admits he hit “rock bottom” during his time at West Ham.
The 35-year-old is now playing away from the limelight with Bordeaux in the French fourth tier.
Carroll made the shock move in the summer after the club were relegated two divisions due to falling into administration.
While many chase a final career payday, the nine-time capped England star is enjoying a “quieter and relaxed” life in France.
He admits he is much happier now after battling injuries during his years in the Premier League with Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham.
Carroll opened up to Foot Mercato, admitting on his days at the Hammers: “It was a really tough time in my life. It was a stressful time for me.
“I was at rock bottom, everything was dark.
“It was hard to get back up. I was just falling apart and making bad decisions. It was just really tough.
“As a player, you just want to be out there playing. But sometimes you hear people saying: ‘Oh, he’s still injured, he should retire.’ Things like that that are not nice.
“At that point you are in a hole, in your shell and you are just trying to get out of it.
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“Luckily, I managed to get out of it and I had a positive ending.
“So now I just love playing football. I get paid to play football. I get paid to do what I love.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career. I have been on the bench, been a bit-part player and off the pitch sometimes, only playing the last ten minutes.
“I just want to finish my career playing as much as possible. And it is not about money. It is just about enjoying my life.”
Carroll, who recently divorced his wife Billi Mucklow and started dating Lou Teasdale, is reportedly on £750-a-week at Bordeaux.
The target man is already proving useful for the fallen giants, scoring four goals in his first two games.
