Introduction
Andrew James Russell (Chinese: 羅素; born 21 November 1987) is an English-born Hong Kong professional footballer who plays as a centre back.
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. 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. He helped the club retain the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy by beating Chorley 4–1 with one goal and one assist.
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.
On 7 January 2017, Russell left South China for Malaysian Super League club Penang after signing a one-year contract with the club. In May 2017, Russell's contract with Penang was terminated due to poor performances.
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.
On 25 February 2019, Russell signed with Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune.
On 16 July 2020, Russell joined China League One club Jiangxi Liansheng on loan.
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.
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
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.
Russell married his wife Helen in 2018. The couple has a son named Zachary.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 26 May 2024
| 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 | 1 | 17 | 3 |
| 2015–16 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 1 | 10 | 1 | ||
| Kitchee | 2023–24 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 5 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 32 | 5 | ||
| Career total | 160 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 7 | 210 | 18 | ||
International
- 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
Kitchee
- Hong Kong Premier League: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23
- Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield: 2022–23
- Hong Kong FA Cup: 2022–23