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Nathan "The Nomad" Russell

Personal information
Full name	Nathan Maxwell Russell
Date of birth	(1995-02-24) February 24, 1995
Place of birth	Farmersburg, Indiana, United States
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Retired
Number	8
Youth career
2000–2008	Farmersburg Plowboys
2008-2012	North Central Thunderbirds
2012-2015	Aston Villa U21
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2016	Aston Villa	0	(0)
2015–2016	Derry City	26	(32)
2016-2018	Aston Villa	43	(60)
2018-2019	Tottenham Hotspur	10	(16)
2018-2019	1899 Hoffenheim	16	(29)
2019-2020	Spartak Moscow	1	(1)
2020-2021	Inter Milan	30	(56)
2021-2022	Villareal	30
International career‡
2018–2022	United States	3	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 12, 2016 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of May 12 2016

Nathan "The Nomad" Russell (born February 24, 1992) was an American professional soccer player who played for a variety of teams and in a number of leagues around the world. Additionally, he has played as a member of the United States national team. He has also played for Derry City, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, and 1899 Hoffenheim.

Growing up in Farmersburg, Indiana, ....

Early life and career

Russell was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and spent his younger childhood living in Farmersburg, IN. Before he started kindergarten his family moved to a rural property outside of town, where they still live today. Growing up Russell played baseball, basketball, and tennis. His only experience with soccer was playing it on the play ground. Russell was first introduced to the larger soccer culture during the summer before his freshman year in high school by watching the World Cup. After seeing how closely Russell followed the World Cup that year, his mom bought him FIFA 07 for gamecube. Russell has said in interviews that this experience is what really got him into the sport. His favorite team to play with was AC Milan. Given the small size of his high school (500 students) there was not an opportunity to play organized soccer. Russell and his dad built a homemade goal in the backyard where he would kick the ball around for relaxation after other practices. He said it was a way for him to allow his body to cool down and relax his mind before and after practices for other sports.

While on a college visit at Ball State, Russell saw the soccer team there practicing. He sat with his parents in the bleachers to observe the practice. During the practice an assistant coach noticed them sitting, and asked if they had enjoyed their visit to the school. Russell stated he had always been interested in soccer, but his opportunities were limited back home. The coach offered him an opportunity to be a equipment manager on the team, if he was interested in staying connected to the sport. Russell accepted.

During that summer Russell began as an equipment manager for the team. After awhile the coaches added him to the practice team. This was the first time he had ever played organized soccer. The coaches noted he wasn't the most elegant player, but had raw speed and vision, along with aggressiveness to go for goal. The coaches said his playing style often threw the starting defense off their game. Shortly before the school year started the team played exhibition matches against other Indiana schools. during this time Russell would play in the waning minutes of matches against smaller schools. After noting Russell would have many shots on goal during these short periods, they decided to place him in the starting XI against powerhouse IU. Russell scored 2 goals during this match from 10 shots on target. During this match Aston Villa scouts were in attendance to watch a couple prospects for IU. After the match the scouts had conversations with Russell's coaches, and discovered how he had zero experience in team play outside of the practice team and the few matches during the summer. The scouts then approached Russell about the prospect of joining their U21 development program. After a week of consideration Russell left Ball State and joined the program.

Club career

Aston Villa U21

After high school Russell was recruited to play football for Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. During a pre-season match with Indiana University he was observed by a scout, and was subsequently selected by Aston Villa for their U21 development program. After a month of training Russell was loaned to Derry City of the Republic of Ireland Football League.

Russell began training with the U21 squad at age 18. The coaches felt Russell had raw talent that still needed to be refined. The manager noted that Russell struggled against the more refined playstyle of the Villa squad. After several meetings Russell was loaned to Derry City in the Irish League.

Loan to Derry City

2015–16 season

Russell arrived to Derry City on loan from Aston Villa during the 2015-16 season. After sitting the first two matches of the season he was promoted to the starting XI. In the next 33 matches Russell scored 34 goals, leading the team. Derry City finished the season at the top of the table with 85 points, winning 27 matches, drawing 4, and losing 2. The team also advanced to the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup. Russell finished as the top scorer in the league, and player of the year. He was called back to Aston Villa at the conclusion of the season to the disappointment of Derry fans.

Return to Aston Villa

2015-16 season

After finishing his time with Derry City, Russell was called back to Aston Villa with two matches left in the PL season. Russell was placed in the starting XI for those games, and scored 3 goals. Aston Villa finished 10th in the table.

2016-17 season

Russell returned to the Aston Villa squad for the 2016-17 season. During this season he again lead the team in goals, netting 51 in 36 matches. Aston Villa improved from 10th the previous season to controlling the top of the table for the majority of the year's campaign. At the end of season the team finished in 1st, winning the league title in dominating fashion with 35 wins, 6 draws, and 0 losses. The team also won the FA Cup and reached the semi-finals of Capital One Cup. Russell finished the season with 41 caps, 57 goals, 7 assists, leading scorer of the league, and player of the year.

Tottenham Hotspur

Following success at Aston Villa, Russell sought new horizons by requesting a transfer. After receiving several bids from teams like Schalke 04, BS Hertha, Sevilla, Russell accepted a $22 million dollar bid from Tottenham Hotspur. The Spurs had finished second behind Villa the previous season. Russell was put into the starting XI, and played the first 6 matches. The first match of the season was against his former Villa squad. Spurs won the match 5-0 with Russell netting a hat trick. After being moved to the winger position during the 5th and 6th matches Russell submitted a transfer request. Citing disagreements with the manager about position assignments. Russell was sat until the beginning of the transfer period. He played an additional four matches during this period, receiving offers from several teams in the mean time. Russell accepted a bid from Bundesliga team 1899 Hoffenheim for $33 million, citing the desire to play in the German League. The Spurs were sitting at the top of the table before Russell was sat. When he returned to the transfer period they had dropped to 3rd. After his departure Spurs finished the season in 3rd position. Even though he had only played a total of 10 matches, Russell was the leading goal scorer for the league at time of his transfer with 16 goals.

1899 Hoffenheim

After his transfer from Spurs Russell was put into Hoffenheim's starting XI with 16 matches left in the season. The team was sitting in 6th at the time of his arrival with a +4 goal difference. Hoffenheim won its next 12 matches, moving up the table to 3rd being tied with Bor. Dortmund on points but behind on goal difference. Hoffenhiem played against Bor. Dortmund in their next game, and winning 7-0. This moved them up to 2nd in the table, and after winning their 14th straight 2-0 they were only 2 points behind the leader Bayern Munich with 2 matches left.

In the next to last match of the season Hoffenheim stretched their winning streak to 15 with a 4-0 win. Their win brought them within 1 point of the leader with Bayern having drawn against their opponent that week. In the last match of the season Hoffenhiem scored 6-0 goals against Frankfurt. This 16th win in a row and another Bayern draw secured the title for the first time in the club's history, beating out Bayern to the top of the table by 1 point. In its final 7 matches the team scored 29 goals while allowing none bringing them even on goal difference with Bayern. The Guardian called it the most spectacular title run in history.

Russell finished the season with 16 appearances with 16 wins, 29 goals, 3 assists, and earning the top scorer title for the league.

After playing just 16 matches in the Bundesliga Russell submitted a transfer request, much to the surprise of the players, coaches, owners, and fans. In an interview he stated he had no ill-will towards the club, and said that he simply achieved his goals in the Bundesliga sooner than expected. Fans had a positive reaction to the news of Russell's departure, it was at this time they affectionately gave him "the nomad" nickname. One long time fan of the club was quoted as saying "When he was loaned to Derry City they gave him a shot at being a striker when he was developing and he won them a title. Then he goes back to Villa who first gave him a shot at the big leagues, and he wins them the title. Next he goes to Spurs, they treat him like crap, move him around, so he comes to us. We put him in the striker position and sure enough he wins us a title! He is a player that knows what he wants, what he is capable of, and what his goals are. He'll be a legend for sure, and I'm just glad we were a part of his story."

Shortly after putting in his transfer request he accepted a bid to play in the Russian League for Spartak Moscow for $33 million.

Spartak Moscow

Russell again requested a transfer stating he felt he had accomplished his goals in the Bundesliga. This time he accepted an offer from Spartak to play in the Russian League.

Retirement

Russell announced his retirement during his season with Villareal. The news set shock waves through the soccer community.

International career

For the national team, Russell has frequently lined up as a striker due to his scoring threat. He occasionally lines up as a winger, at which he has frequently voiced his displeasure.

2018 World Cup

Russell was selected as part of the United States mens national team as a forward. The USA was placed in Group B along with Italy, Hungary, and Chile. In their first match against Italy Russell scored 2 goals, leading the US to a 2-0 victory. In the next match against Hungary he was moved to the right wing to provide outside an outside scoring threat. He was subbed out of the game shortly after the half, and the US won 1-0. He was again put at the right wing position for the final group stage match against Chile. After the US secured a goal in the first half, and were leading at the 65 minute mark, Russell was again subbed out to rest for the next round. However Chile dominated the remaining minutes scoring 4 goals defeating the US 4-1. Controversy arose when Chile, Italy, and USA all ended the group stage with 6 points. Chile won the group and advanced because of a +3 goal difference. The controversy came when Italy advanced over the US, as both teams were equal in points, wins, draws, losses, and goal difference. The Americans appealed that they should have advanced because they had bested Italy when they had played head to head. Their appeal was denied for unspecified reasons. Russell was a vocal voice on the issue, and stated his concerns with the FIFA organizations saying he may decide to forgo future international play altogether.

Legacy

Russell was affectionately known as "the nomad", a name given to him by Hoffenhiem fans after he announced his departure from the club. In his 8 years of play he played for 7 different teams in 6 different leagues, winning 5 league titles. It became the norm for him to transfer to other teams at the beginning of the season, play for a year, then move on. In an interview he stated that he had been blessed to have the opportunity to play professional soccer, so he wanted to experience the beautiful game with as many teams and leagues as he could. He said he is unsure if he would have moved on if he had not won league titles. Russell was a fan favorite, often arriving early and staying late to greet and chat with fans. Fans often celebrate his arrival to clubs, given his history of winning titles. He was known to clash with management, especially when they would play him out of position, or not accept his transfer requests. Towards the latter of his career, he was known to sit out games where the manager intended to play him at the winger position, regardless of the opponent or game. Given his popularity with fans, they often put pressure on the team to play him at forward.

Russell was known for his aggressive play style, relying on simple crossovers and beating opponents to the ball, an attribute many have said came from his basketball background. This style lead Russell to being a prolific goal scorer, scoring at least one goal in nearly every match he has ever played, and regularly netting hattricks.

Career statistics

Club

As of January 17, 2016.

Club	Season	League		Cup		Other		Continental		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Aston Villa	2004	24	7	1	0	3	0	—		28	7
	2005	26	10	0	0	4	1	—		30	11
	2006	21	8	1	0	2	0	2	0	26	8
	Total	71	25	2	0	9	1	2	0	84	26
Derry City (loan)	2006–07	10	1	2	0	0	0	—		12	1
	2007–08	36	6	2	0	2	0	—		40	6
	2008–09	35	7	5	1	1	0	—		41	8
	2009–10	29	7	2	0	0	0	13	2	44	9
	2010–11	37	12	3	0	2	1	—		42	13
	2011–12	37	17	2	3	0	0	7	3	46	23
Aston Villa	2013–14	5	0	2	0	0	0	—		7	0
	Total	189	50	18	4	5	1	20	5	232	60
Tottenham Hotspur	2012–13	29	7	2	3	2	0	10	2	43	12
	Total	29	7	2	3	2	0	10	2	43	12
Seattle Sounders FC	2013	9	1	0	0	3	0	—		12	1
	2014	26	15	1	1	4	1	—		31	17
	2015	20	10	1	0	3	2	—		23	12
	Total	55	26	2	1	10	3	—		66	30
Career total		344	108	24	8	26	5	32	7	425	128

International

As of March 29, 2016.

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
United States	2004	1	0
	2005	13	2
	2006	9	4
	2007	13	3
	2008	10	4
	2009	14	4
	2010	8	2
	2011	14	5
	2012	9	6
	2013	10	6
	2014	9	3
	2015	10	9
	2016	2	1
Total		122	49

Honours

Club

New England Revolution

• MLS Cup: Runner-up 2005, 2006

Fulham

• UEFA Europa League: Runner-up 2009–10

Seattle Sounders

• Supporters' Shield: 2014
• U.S. Open Cup: 2014

International

• FIFA Confederations Cup: Runner-up 2009
• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2005, 2007

Individual

• Fulham Player of the Season: 2010–11, 2011–12
• Confederations Cup Bronze Ball: 2009
• Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament: 2009
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Top Goalscorer: 2015
• U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2007, 2011, 2012
• Honda Player of the Year: 2006, 2011, 2012
• MLS Rookie of the Year: 2004

Top Scorer

• Fulham: 2010–11, 2011–12

Personal life

Dempsey is married to Bethany Keegan Dempsey. They have four children, a son named Clayton, a daughter named Elyse, a son named Jackson and a daughter named Sophia. In his spare time he is a fisherman.

Dempsey is a Roman Catholic. He has spoken about his faith saying, "I play to the best of my abilities and am thankful for the many opportunities and amazing success God has given me. Through it all, I want to do right, not make mistakes, and live a life that is pleasing to Him."

Russell is a fan of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts