Ireland international Julie-Ann Russell makes step up to the W-League with Western Sydney Wanderers

Republic of Ireland international Julie-Ann Russell has signed for Australian top-level side West Sydney Wanderers ahead of the 2021 season.

The winger makes the step up to the national W-League after spending the past three years with Sydney University in the regional second tier in New South Wales.

Russell has 59 caps for Ireland and was brought back in for the recent Euro 2022 qualifying campaign by Vera Pauw after failing to feature under her predecessor Colin Bell.

The Galway native was part of successful teams at Salthill Devon, Peamount United and UCD Waves, winning the inaugural Women’s National League with the Peas.

The 2014 FAI Senior International Player of the Year was an FAI Cup winner in 2007 with the Galway League, and also appeared in losing finals for Devon and Peamount in 2010 and 2012.

“We’re very delighted to have a player with the experience of Julie-Ann come to the club and we’re very excited what she can bring to the team” said Heffernan.

“Julie-Ann is a leader both on and off the pitch and we’re very lucky to have her in the Red and Black this season.”

Russell has previously spent time overseas with the LA Strikers in the United States and Doncaster Bells in England before making the permanent move to the southern hemisphere.

Speaking to extratime.com at the time of her departure, she admitted it was a wrench to leave the WNL – and possibly her international career – for the opportunity with Microsoft in Australia.

“It was a huge decision. I was actually offered a role over there last year and I said no,” she said.

“The timing wasn't right professionally and personally, so I said no at the time. Then, over the next six months, I started thinking about it more.

“I made the decision a couple of months ago and it's just fallen into this place. I think everything happens for a reason so we'll just go from there and hopefully I'll be successful over in Sydney.”