Andy Russell (footballer, born 1987)
Hong Kong footballer (born 1987)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Andrew James Russell (Chinese: 羅素; born 21 November 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Hong Kong First Division club Hoi King. Born in England, he played for the Hong Kong national football team from 2016 to 2023.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew James Russell | ||
| Date of birth | 21 November 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Southampton, England | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Hoi King | ||
| 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 | Sichuan Jiuniu | 19 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Kitchee | 21 | (2) |
| 2024–2025 | HKFC | 20 | (2) |
| 2025– | Hoi King | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2016–2023 | Hong Kong | 22 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 17 October 2023 | |||
Club career
In 2008, Russell signed his first contract as a professional footballer for Happy Valley, which played in the Hong Kong First Division. After returning to the UK, Russell joined Mossley in the Northern Premier League Division One North and found employment with 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 to join 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 signed for Hong Kong Premier League club South China.[5]
On 7 January 2017, Russell left South China for Malaysia 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 for the past 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]
On 2 May 2022, Russell joined Sichuan Jiuniu.[12]
On 8 February 2023, Russell returned to Hong Kong and joined Kitchee.[13]
International career
On 14 March 2016, Russell received his first call-up for Hong Kong in preparation for a 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
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 26 May 2024[16]
| 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 | ||
- One appearance and one goal in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, Two appearances in 2014–15 Hong Kong season play-off
- 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
- Appearances in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield
- One appearance in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, Two appearances and one goal in Hong Kong Sapling Cup
- Appearances in China League One relegation play-offs
- Two appearances and one goal in Hong Kong Sapling Cup
- Three appearances and one goal in Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, Eight appearances and three goals in Hong Kong Sapling Cup
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 | |
