Andy Russell (footballer, born 1987)

Andrew James Russell (Chinese: 羅素; born 21 November 1987), is an English-born Hong Kong professional footballer who currently plays as a centre back for Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee. He also plays for the Hong Kong national team.

Andy Russell
Russell playing for Tai Po in 2017
Personal information
Full name Andrew James Russell
Date of birth (1987-11-21) 21 November 1987
Place of birth Southampton, England
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Forward
Team information
Current team
 Kitchee
Number 26
Youth career
2003–2005 HKFC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Happy Valley 12 (0)
2009–2010 Mossley
2010 Chorley
2013–2014 AFC Fylde
2014–2016 South China 26 (2)
2017 Penang 8 (0)
2017–2018 Tai Po 11 (0)
2018 Liaoning Whowin 27 (4)
2019–2020 Hebei China Fortune 6 (0)
2020 → Jiangxi Liansheng (loan) 16 (1)
2021 Jiangxi Beidamen 28 (2)
2022–2023 Sichuan Jiuniu 19 (0)
2023– Kitchee 0 (0)
International career‡
2016– Hong Kong 20 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 February 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2019

Club career

In 2008, Russell signed his first contract as a professional footballer for Happy Valley, which played in Hong Kong First Division. After returning to the UK, Russell joined Mossley in the NPL First Division North and found employment with sportswear giants Adidas. In his debut season with the club he would represent them 46 times and score two goals.[2] He joined Chorley in 2010 when manager Garry Flitcroft took over. For the 2013–14 season, Russell chose AFC Fylde after being convinced by manager Dave Challinor.[3] He helped the club retain the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy by beating Chorley 4–1 with one goal and one assist.[4]

In July 2014, Russell announced on his Twitter account that he had signed for Hong Kong Premier League club South China for the 2014–15 season.[5]

On 7 January 2017, Russell left South China for Malaysian Super League club Penang after signing a one-year contract with the club.[6] In May 2017, Russell's contract with Penang was terminated due to poor performances.[7]

On 27 February 2018, Russell left Tai Po, where he had played the previous half-year, for China League One club Liaoning Whowin at a six figure fee, where he could play as a native player.[8][9]

On 25 February 2019, Russell signed with Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune.[10]

On 16 July 2020, Russell joined China League One club Jiangxi Liansheng on loan.[11]

In April 2021, Russell joined Jiangxi Beidamen.

In April 2022, Russell joined Sichuan Jiuniu.

On 8 February 2023, Russell returned to Hong Kong and joined Kitchee.

International career

On 14 March 2016, Russell received his first call-up for Hong Kong in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Qatar on 24 March 2016. He made his international debut in a 2–0 loss to Qatar.[12]

Personal life

Russell was born in Southampton, England and moved to Hong Kong with his parents when he was 18 months old. He returned to England to attend the University of Manchester.[3]

Russell married his wife Helen in 2018. The couple has a son named Zachary.

Career statistics

Club
As of 6 December 2022.[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
South China 2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League 1022020003[lower-alpha 1]1173
2015–161200061008[lower-alpha 2]0261
2016–174000––1[lower-alpha 3]050
Total 262208100121484
Pulau Pinang 2017 Malaysia Super League 8020–––100
Tai Po 2017–18 Hong Kong Premier League11000––3[lower-alpha 4]1141
Liaoning Whowin 2018 China League One27400–––274
Hebei China Fortune 2019 Chinese Super League 6000–––60
Jiangxi Liansheng (loan) 2020 China League One 14100––2[lower-alpha 5]0161
Jiangxi Beidamen 2021 28200––00282
Sichuan Jiuniu 2022 19000––00190
Career total 139940810017216812
  1. One appearance and one goal in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, Two appearances in 2014–15 Hong Kong season play-off
  2. Two appearances in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, One appearance in 2015–16 Hong Kong season play-off, Five appearances in Hong Kong Sapling Cup
  3. Appearances in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield
  4. One appearance in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, Two appearances and one goal in Hong Kong Sapling Cup
  5. Appearances in China League One relegation play-offs

International
As of 19 November 2019.
National teamYearAppsGoals
Hong Kong 201660
201720
201860
201960
Total200

Honours

Kitchee

References
  1. 【港將衝中超】港足中堅羅素加盟中超河北華夏幸福　與馬斯真蘭奴及拿維斯做隊友 (in Chinese). Ming Pao. 25 February 2019.
  2. "* Radcliffe to Ryder*". mossleyweb.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  3. "BIG INTERVIEW: Andy Russell". Lancashire Evening Post. 27 July 2013.
  4. "Chorley lose Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final to holders AFC Fylde". Lancashire Telegraph. 18 March 2014.
  5. "South China announcement". twitter. 16 July 2014.
  6. (in Chinese)"羅素闖檳城心繫港隊". Oriental Daily. 7 January 2017.
  7. "Penang on a mission to find replacements for Ferreira and Russell". Goal.com. 15 May 2017.
  8. "和富大埔中堅羅素將加盟中甲球隊遼寧宏運。". （Tai Po Football Club's official fans club. Facebook. Retrieved 27 February 2018. (in Chinese)
  9. Gao, Si Kei; Chan, Chun Yiu. "羅素北上加盟遼寧宏運 李志堅：香港足球無法提供的條件". HK01. Retrieved 28 February 2018. (in Chinese)
  10. "中国香港籍球员安德鲁·罗素加盟华夏". sports.sina.com. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  11. "中甲新军宣布港脚正式加盟 去年代表华夏出战6场". Sina. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.(in Chinese)
  12. "FIFA". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015.
  13. "Andy Russell". National-football-teams.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
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