Johnathon Simpson Snedden Russell (born 8 April 1990) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Dundee United. He has previously played for Forfar Athletic, Raith Rovers, Derby County, Sporting Kansas City, and Real Salt Lake. Russell represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level. He was first named in the Scotland squad in 2012, and made his full international debut in November 2014. Russell is the highest-scoring Scottish-born player in MLS history.
He was born Johnathon Simpson Snedden Russell in Glasgow, Scotland. He was interested in football during his childhood.
Russell, who had featured just five times for Dundee United's under-19 side in 2006âÂÂ07, made his professional debut in the Scottish Premier League on 12 May 2007 in the 2âÂÂ0 defeat at Falkirk, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Steven Robb.
In August 2008, Russell moved on loan to Forfar Athletic of the Scottish Football League Third Division until the end of the year, scoring twice on his début. In January 2009, Russell made his first start for Dundee United in the Scottish Cup fourth round victory at East Stirlingshire, scoring a second-half penalty kick for his first United goal. Russell returned to Forfar on loan for the remainder of the season, agreeing a contract extension with United in April until May 2012.
In September 2009, Russell played and scored in Dundee United's League Cup win against Ross County before undertaking a month's loan with Raith Rovers in the Scottish Football League First Division, which was subsequently extended until Boxing Day. The deal was further extended until the end of the season, and Russell ended his time in Kirkcaldy with his first senior hat-trick in a final day 4âÂÂ1 win over Ross County.
In April 2011, Russell scored a header for Dundee United's second goal in a 3âÂÂ2 win at Ibrox, in which David Goodwillie scored the winner in the 89th minute. On 21 July he scored for United in the 2011âÂÂ12 UEFA Europa League, the second in a 3âÂÂ2 second qualifying round second leg win against Polish side à Âlàsk Wrocà Âaw. United had lost the first leg 1âÂÂ0, so were eliminated on the away goals rule. He also scored against Celtic that season, and established himself in the United team.
On 7 January 2012, Russell netted a hat-trick, the second of his career, in a 6âÂÂ2 Scottish Cup win over Airdrie United. As of that match, Russell had scored a total of 9 goals in the 2011âÂÂ12 season and it saw him become a regular in the starting line-up alongside Jon Daly.
On 19 January 2013, Russell scored his first SPL hattrick in a 3âÂÂ2 win over Kilmarnock. Russell equalled Finn Døssing's record for the fastest ever Dundee United goal when he scored after 14 seconds in a 3âÂÂ0 Scottish Cup victory against Rangers at Tannadice Park on 2 February.
In May 2013, it was reported that bids for Russell were made by Italian Serie A team Catania and English Championship side Derby County with Dundee United keen to sell Russell with a year left on his contract after his agent stated that Russell would not be signing a new contract. In June 2013; Derby County had an offer accepted for the striker.
Russell joined Derby County on 10 June 2013 for a fee of around ã750,000, and he signed a four-year contract. He scored twice on his debut in a pre-season friendly at Irish side Bohemians. Russell's competition for a starting place consisted of Chris Martin, Conor Sammon and Jamie Ward. Russell scored on his competitive debut from the penalty spot in Derby's 1âÂÂ1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on 4 August. He scored a fifth in four friendlies in the Bass Charity Vase final against Burton Albion on 13 August, which Derby lost 3âÂÂ2. Russell fractured his left fibula during the game and was ruled out of action for six weeks.
In 2017 Mo Johnston suggested Russell move to Sporting Kansas City, and Russell joined them for the 2018 season.
On 31 January 2018, Russell signed with Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City on a three-year contract. He made his debut for Sporting in the opening game of their 2018 MLS season, a 2âÂÂ0 defeat against New York City FC on 4 March. Russell's solo goal against Los Angeles Galaxy earned him MLS Goal of the Week. Russell scored a hat-trick for Sporting KC in a 6âÂÂ0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 20 April, earning him the MLS Player of the week award.
On May 26, 2019, Russell became the first player for Sporting KC to score 2 Hat-tricks which was against Seattle Sounders FC over a 3âÂÂ2 win.
In March 2021, Russell was named captain after Matt Besler departed the club. On October 28, 2021, Russell was awarded MLS Player of the Week for Week 33 of the 2021 season in recognition of his brace in a 2âÂÂ0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Russell finished the 2021 regular season with 15 goals, placing him as the highest-scoring Scottish-born player in MLS history.
In that same year he earned Sporting KC Offensive Player of the Year. He won it for being the most Scottish male to score the most goals. At the MLS Cup Playoffs he scored a goal to help his team win 3âÂÂ1 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. In the first round of the Western Conference he scored a penalty to help Sporting win over Real Salt Lake, but unfortunately, Sporting lost in the semifinals to Salt Lake.
He extended his contract with Sporting Kansas City to stay until 2024.
In 2022 he was named Co-Humanitarian of the year and started in 31 games that season with eight goals and one assist.
Russell was injured at the start of the season after a Hamstring injury and missed the first games. In a match against Portland Timbers in 2023 he was injured at the end of the game. Where Peter Vermes said that he will be out 3âÂÂ4 weeks.
On matchday 34 of the 2023 Major League Soccer season Russell was fined for failing to leave the field in a timely manner after he was sent off in the 37th minute in a match against Houston Dynamo FC.
At matchday 38, MLS announced that he was soccer player of matchday for helping Sporting Kansas City score two goals against Minnesota United FC. He became third top goal scorer for Kansas City.
Russell left Kansas City following their 2024 season.
On 25 April 2025, Russell signed a contract with MLS side Real Salt Lake until the end of their 2025 season.
On 3 March 2026, Russell signed a short-term contract with Scottish Premiership side Dundee United until the end of the season.
In August 2007, Russell made his debut for the Scotland under-19s. He scored two goals in 10 appearances for the under-19s. Russell then played 11 times for the Scotland under-21s, scoring once in the process. He received his first call up to the full national team for the match against the United States in May 2012, but did not play. Russell made his full international debut in November 2014, in a 3âÂÂ1 friendly home defeat to England. On as a second-half substitute, Russell provided the assist for Andrew Robertson to make it 2âÂÂ1.
Uncapped since October 2015, he was recalled to the Scotland squad in May 2018, for friendlies against Peru and Mexico. On 24 March 2019 he scored his first international goal to secure a 2âÂÂ0 away win over San Marino in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying. Russell was unable to play for Scotland during 2020 as COVID-19 protocols made it impractical for him to travel between North America and Europe for international matches.
He is married to Nadine Russell (née Dean), and they have three children.
He has been a Celtic FC fan since his early years. He is also a supporter of his brother's local soccer team with them wanting to participate in the Special Olympics but they were postponed due to COVID-19.
While living in the United States, he has developed an affinity for Muscle Cars.
Sporting Kansas City