ANDY CARROLL has sent his cult status with new club Bordeaux soaring.
The ex-England striker plays for less than his rent - but you would have put your house on him hitting the winner against Avranches.
The Newcastle legend, 35, did just that - to make it five goals in three games for the fallen French giants, who play in the FOURTH TIER following a double relegation over the summer.
This time the former Liverpool star controlled with his first touch and lashed into the far corner with his second.
Despite that 28th-minute clincher, Bordeaux remain in the lower reaches of National 2 - Group B.
That's after financial problems forced them to turn part-time at the end of last season and drop two divisions.
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But fans love the way Carroll - who recently enjoyed his first holiday with new partner Lou Teasdale - has embraced such a tricky gig.
The ex-West Ham and Reading man has revealed he rejected more lucrative offers, including from Saudi Arabia, in favour of Bordeaux.
He told : "To be honest, it even costs me money to have gone to play for the Girondins.
"But I play football and I'm simply happy to play football."
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And after seeing his eager poaching against Avranches, supporters shared their love for the 6ft 4ins targetman.
One wrote: "It's better to play for Passion He'll be a legend if he takes them back to Ligue 1."
A second posted: "What he is doing is for pure football."
Other verdicts on Carroll's latest display included: "He still got it Top player " and "Wow congratulations to him great job".
And one fan said: "That's incredible. Andy Carroll is on fire at Bordeaux. Keep it up."
Another raved: "Fact that he has sacrificed to play for the club & delivering."
All in all, Carroll's tuning up well, with little more than two months until his second Christmas in France, having been with Amiens last season.