Andy Russell (footballer, born 1987)

Andrew James Russell (Chinese: 羅素; born 21 November 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Hong Kong Premier League club HKFC. Born in England, he represented Hong Kong internationally.

Andy Russell
Personal information
Full name Andrew James Russell
Date of birth (1987-11-21) 21 November 1987 (age 36)
Place of birth Southampton, England
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back, forward
Team information
Current team
HKFC
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)
2020Jiangxi Liansheng (loan) 16 (1)
2021 Jiangxi Beidamen 28 (2)
2022 Sichuan Jiuniu 19 (0)
2023–2024 Kitchee 21 (2)
2024– HKFC 0 (0)
International career
2016–2023 Hong Kong 22 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 July 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 October 2019

Club career

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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 represented them 46 times and scored 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.

On 2 May 2022, Russell joined Sichuan Jiuniu.[12]

On 8 February 2023, Russell returned to Hong Kong and joined Kitchee.[13]

On 31 July 2024, Russell returned to HKFC.[14]

International career

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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.[15]

On 6 November 2023, Russell announced his retirement from international football to focus more on his club career with Kitchee and family commitments.

Personal life

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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

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Club

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As of 26 May 2024[16]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
South China 2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League 10 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 3[a] 1 17 3
2015–16 12 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 8[b] 0 26 1
2016–17 4 0 0 0 1[c] 0 5 0
Total 26 2 2 0 8 1 0 0 12 1 48 4
Pulau Pinang 2017 Malaysia Super League 8 0 2 0 10 0
Tai Po 2017–18 Hong Kong Premier League 11 0 0 0 3[d] 1 14 1
Liaoning Whowin 2018 China League One 27 4 0 0 27 4
Hebei China Fortune 2019 Chinese Super League 6 0 0 0 6 0
Jiangxi Liansheng (loan) 2020 China League One 14 1 0 0 2[e] 0 16 1
Jiangxi Beidamen 2021 28 2 0 0 0 0 28 2
Sichuan Jiuniu 2022 19 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
Kitchee 2022–23 Hong Kong Premier League 6 1 2 0 2[f] 1 10 2
2023–24 15 1 1 0 5 0 11[g] 4 32 5
Total 21 2 3 0 0 0 5 0 13 5 42 7
Career total 160 11 7 0 13 1 0 0 30 7 210 19
  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
  6. ^ Two appearances and one goal in Hong Kong Sapling Cup
  7. ^ Three appearances and one goal in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, Eight appearances and three goals in Hong Kong Sapling Cup

International

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As of 17 October 2023
National team Year Apps Goals
Hong Kong 2016 6 0
2017 2 0
2018 6 0
2019 6 0
2020 0 0
2021 0 0
2022 0 0
2023 2 0
Total 22 0
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 24 March 2016 Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar   Qatar 0–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 3 June 2016 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar   Vietnam 2–2 2016 AYA Bank Cup
3 6 June 2016 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar   Myanmar 0–3 2016 AYA Bank Cup
4 6 October 2016 Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Cambodia 2–0 Friendly
5 11 October 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong   Singapore 2–0 Friendly
6 6 November 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong   Guam 3–2 EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2
7 9 November 2017 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong   Bahrain 0–2 Friendly
8 14 November 2017 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong   Lebanon 0–1 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
9 27 March 2018 Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea   North Korea 0–2 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
10 11 October 2018 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong   Thailand 0–1 Friendly
11 16 October 2018 Wibawa Mukti Stadium, Cikarang, Indonesia   Indonesia 1–1 Friendly
12 11 November 2018 Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan   Chinese Taipei 2–1 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 2
13 13 November 2018 Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan   North Korea 0–0 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 2
14 16 November 2018 Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan   Mongolia 1–5 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 2
15 11 June 2019 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong   Chinese Taipei 0–2 Friendly
16 5 September 2019 Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Cambodia 1–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 10 September 2019 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong   Iran 0–2 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
18 10 October 2019 Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq   Iraq 0–2 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
19 14 November 2019 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong   Bahrain 0–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
20 19 November 2019 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong   Cambodia 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
21 7 September 2023 National Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Cambodia 1–1 Friendly
22 12 October 2023 Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan   Bhutan 4–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Club

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Kitchee

References

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ 四川九牛官方:后卫安德鲁·罗素加盟 中超中甲累计出场77次 Sohu 2 May 2022
  13. ^ 港超聯︱傑志再添新援 前港足中堅羅素加盟 北上5年終回流 HK01 8 February 2023
  14. ^ 港超聯 港會開操!前港腳羅素「愛回家」 on.cc 31 July 2024
  15. ^ "FIFA". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Andy Russell". National-football-teams.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
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