Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Darel Francis Roy G. Russell (born 22 October 1980) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder.
Career
Norwich City
Born in Mile End, England, Russell began his career as a youth player at Norwich City. After six years and over a hundred appearances in Norwich's midfield, Russell left to join Stoke City in 2003.
Stoke City
Russell joined Stoke in 2003 for £125,000, when he was 23. He played regularly under managers Tony Pulis and Johan Boskamp, missing only a handful of matches during a season. He began his Stoke career playing at right back, before being moved to a right winger and then central midfield. Russell won the Championship player of the month award for November 2006. He became a very versatile player for Stoke and made over 170 appearances before returning to Norwich.
Return to Norwich
On 30 July 2007, Russell rejoined the Canaries for an undisclosed fee (reported to be around the £410,000 marked down from £600,000 due to a 30% sell-on clause the canaries had in the deal taking Russell to Stoke in 2003), on a three-year contract. Norwich were relegated to League One after a poor season in the Championship in the 2008–09 season. In the summer of 2009 Norwich rejected a bid of £500,000 from Premier League newcomers Burnley. Norwich's asking price was believed to be around £750,000. After staying at Norwich Russell played a major part in earning them promotion to the Championship at the first time of asking after winning League One, putting in some impressive performances at the heart of central midfield under manager Paul Lambert, with Russell occupying a more defensive central midfield position in a diamond formation.
On 1 July 2010, it was confirmed that Russell had rejected the offer from Norwich City of a new contract, and he was released.
Preston North End
Russell signed for Preston North End on a three-year deal on 4 August 2010. He scored his first and what turned out to be only goal for Preston in the League Cup against future club Charlton Athletic on 13 September 2011. He was transfer listed by the club in May 2012.
Charlton Athletic loan
On 24 November 2011 Russell signed on loan for League One rivals Charlton Athletic until January 2012. On 7 January 2012 this loan was extended until the end of the season. Where he helped Charlton to become League 1 Champions, scoring 2 goals in the process.
Portsmouth
On summer transfer deadline day 2012, Russell joined Portsmouth on an initial one-month deal. Russell left Portsmouth on 28 January 2013, a day before his contract with the club was due to expire.
Toronto FC
On 14 February, he joined Toronto FC on a trial basis. On 1 March, he signed a contract with the Canadian club. He made his debut for the club on 9 March in a 2–1 home victory over Sporting Kansas City, he came on as a second half sub for John Bostock. Russell scored his first goal for the club on 6 April, the goal came in the 90th minute to earn Toronto a 2–2 home draw against FC Dallas. He was not retained following the 2013 season.
Personal life
His sister Shar Alexander (real name Sharlene Russell), is a singer in the band 'Miss Frank' who competed in the sixth series of X Factor.
Career statistics
- As of 2 May 2015
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[A] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Norwich City | 1997–98 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | First Division | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 13 | 1 | ||
| 1999–2000 | First Division | 33 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 36 | 4 | ||
| 2000–01 | First Division | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | – | 47 | 3 | ||
| 2001–02 | First Division | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 26 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | First Division | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 24 | 0 | ||
| Total | 132 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 147 | 8 | ||
| Stoke City | 2003–04 | First Division | 46 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 50 | 4 | |
| 2004–05 | Championship | 45 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 47 | 2 | ||
| 2005–06 | Championship | 37 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2006–07 | Championship | 43 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 46 | 7 | ||
| Total | 171 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 182 | 16 | ||
| Norwich City | 2007–08 | Championship | 39 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | – | 44 | 5 | |
| 2008–09 | Championship | 38 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 41 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 | League One | 35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| Total | 112 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 124 | 11 | ||
| Preston North End | 2010–11 | Championship | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 28 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 | League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | ||
| Charlton Athletic (loan) | 2011–12 | League One | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| Portsmouth | 2012–13 | League One | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Toronto FC | 2013 | Major League Soccer | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2014 | NASL | 25 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
| Career total | 513 | 40 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 558 | 43 | ||
- A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League Trophy.
Honours
- Norwich City
- League One champions: 2009–10
- Charlton Athletic
- League One champions: 2011–12