July 11, 2001

DURHAM, N.C. - Robert Russell, a 2000 All-America selection, has signed a one-year contract to play in the Premiere Men's Soccer League in Norway. He will play with the Sogndal team and is expected to make his professional debut on July 22, 2001.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to go play for Sogndal," said Russell. "I am hoping that at the end of the season I will be able to get picked up by a higher team in the league. The Premiere League is filled with quality, experienced players that will help me develop my game and Sogndal is very well-known for developing new talent."

The native of Amherst, Mass., was a three-time All-ACC selection at Duke and finished with 45 career points. He was drafted in February by the Los Angeles Galaxy with the 22nd overall pick in the second round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) Superdraft, but decided to head to Norway.

Sogndal is famous for developing top young talent and selling them to some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Most recently players such as Tore Andre Flo of the Chelsea and Rangers and Eirik Bakke of Leeds United came out of Sogndal.

"Robert is one of the few American players that is good enough to play as a full professional in a Premier Soccer League," said Duke head coach John Rennie. "He is mature enough to handle the differences of living in a foreign country. I think he will be heard from on the U.S. National team in the years to come."

Russell went on a one week trial with Sogndal and the team was so impressed they offered the Duke graduate a contract at the end of his stay. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it exceeds the MLS offer with Los Angeles. The contract goes through the end of the upcoming season.