Russell and McFaul sign for Atlantic City
Atlantic City FC have announced the signings of Irish midfield duo Sean Russell and Shane McFaul.
The American club, formed in 2017, will compete in the Northeast Region’s Keystone Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
Both Russell and McFaul are no strangers to playing in America – Russell played for Louisville City in 2017 while McFaul played for Virginia Beach Mariners in 2006.
Neither player will be paid by the club – who don’t pay any of their players due to “unique nature of the NPSL” – but the club will work with both Russell and McFaul on opportunities with their sponsor company.
We do not pay our players because of the unique nature of the NPSL however we are working with both men on opportunities with our sponsor company and we cover all expenses including housing and food. This allows our college players to maintain NCAA eligibility.
— Atlantic City FC (@AtlanticCityFC) January 23, 2018
Russell began his career at UCD, breaking into the first team late in 2010 and going on to spend a further three years with the Students before moving to Longford Town in 2014.
He would spend just half a season with Longford, making nine appearances before signing for Shelbourne for the second half of the 2014 season.
After scoring twice in seven league appearances for Shelbourne, as they just missed out on promotion, Russell signed for Limerick ahead of the 2015 season.
Russell went on to make 30 league appearances, scoring three times, for Limerick, managed by his father, Martin, as they were relegated after being beaten over two legs in a play-off against Finn Harps.
He rejoined Limerick in April 2016, scoring twice in 17 league appearances and Limerick eased to the First Division title before deciding to make the move to USL side Louisville City.
However, he returned to Ireland to sign with Drogheda United in July 2017, scoring a goal of the season contender on his debut against Sligo Rovers.
Russell will be joined at Atlantic City by former UCD, Sporting Fingal and St. Patrick’s Athletic midfielder, Shane McFaul.
McFaul is used to plying his trade outside of Ireland, having started his career at Notts County before moving to Virginia Beach Mariners in 2006.
He signed for UCD in 2007 before moving back to England to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion on a six month deal.
McFaul returned to UCD for the second half of the 2008 season before moving to Sporting Fingal and then St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Finland was the next destination for McFaul as he signed for FC Haka in 2012 before returned to St. Pat’s in 2013.
The return to Ireland was short lived however as he made the journey back to Finland in 2014 to sign for KTP.
After a three year spell with KTP, August of 2016 saw McFaul make the move to Indian side DSK Shivajians, managed by former Shelbourne manager Dave Rogers.
According to a tweet from the club, McFaul will not only have an important role on the pitch but will also help expand the e-sports operations in Atlantic City.
Shane will be an integral part of our organization and will help expand our esports operations in Atlantic City so he will be well taken care of here regardless of our teams amateur status because of the unique nature of the NPSL
— Atlantic City FC (@AtlanticCityFC) January 23, 2018