# 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 from 2016 to 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. 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. 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 signed for Hong Kong Premier League club South China.
On 7 January 2017, Russell left South China for Malaysia 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 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.
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.
On 2 May 2022, Russell joined Sichuan Jiuniu.
On 8 February 2023, Russell returned to Hong Kong and joined Kitchee.
On 31 July 2024, Russell returned to HKFC.

## 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.
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
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | 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 |
| South China | 2015–16 | Hong Kong Premier League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| South China | 2016–17 | Hong Kong Premier League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| South China | Total | 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 | China League One | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| Sichuan Jiuniu | 2022 | China League One | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Kitchee | 2022–23 | Hong Kong Premier League | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
| Kitchee | 2023–24 | Hong Kong Premier League | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 32 | 5 |
| Kitchee | Total | Total | 21 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 42 | 7 |
| Career total | Career total | 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 |
| Hong Kong | 2017 | 2 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2018 | 6 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2019 | 6 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 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: 2022–23
* Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield: 2022–23, 2023–24
* Hong Kong FA Cup: 2022–23
* HKPLC Cup: 2023–24