Duke All-American midfielder Robbie Russell, who was picked in the second round of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by the Los Angeles Galaxy, has signed with Norwegian Premier Division club Sogndal. Sogndal, which was promoted to the top tier this season, is in the eighth place of the 14-team league after 17 games. (The Norwegian Premier Division is one of the few European leagues that plays a calendar-year schedule.) Russell, of Belchertown, Mass., had eight goals and 12 assists for the Blue Devils last season, when he lined up with Ali Curtis, the second overall pick in the 2001 draft. Curtis is with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. “I am very excited to join Sogndal, which is famous for developing top young talent,” said Russell, who finished his degree at Duke before signing. “It is the perfect club with which to begin my professional career.” Tore Andre Flo (Glasgow Rangers) and Erik Bakke (Leeds United) are among the players coming out of Sogndal. “Robbie has a lot of respect for MLS but it’s always been his dream to play in Europe,” said Russell’s agent Lyle Yorks of ISM Russell’s Norwegian work permit was approved Aug. 3.