Sharu Naraji
Sharu Naraji (born 7 February 1984) is an Iranian former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 7 February 1984 | ||
Place of birth | Bolton, England | ||
Position(s) | Winger | ||
Youth career | |||
2000–2004 | Esteghlal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2004–2005 | Esteghlal | ||
2004 | → Torino (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2004–2005 | → Real Zaragoza (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2005–2007 | Sheffield United | 0 | (0) |
National team | |||
Iran U20 | |||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Early and personal life
Naraji was born in Bolton, England, and grew up in Iran. He is the older brother of fellow player Shana Haji.[1][2]
Career
Club career
Naraji began his career with Esteghlal, and spent loan spells in Italy with Torino and in Spain with Real Zaragoza.[1] He signed a one-year contract with English side Sheffield United in August 2005,[3][4] before signing a contract extension a year later.[5] He was released by United in May 2007,[6] having never made an appearance for them in the Football League.[7] His career was ended by injury.[8][9]
He was praised by Neil Warnock and former Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan, who compared him with Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben.[10]
International career
After playing with the Iranian under-20 team,[3] Naraji was called up to the senior squad in October 2005.[1] However, due to injury, Naraji was unable to join that squad; injuries also kept him out of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad.[11][12]
References
- Afshin Dastafshan. "SHAHRUZ NARAJI THE SECOND IRANIAN IN THE PREMIERSHIP". Persian Mirror. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- http://www.footballmedia.net/articles.asp?id=1506
- "Naraji pens one-year Blades deal". BBC Sport. 2 August 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- "Iranian Naraji joins Sheffield". AFC. 8 August 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- "Sharu Naraji signs with Sheffield United". Iran Goals. 2 August 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- "Blades cut players free". 4 The Game. 21 May 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- "SHEFFIELD UNITED : 1946/47 - 2009/10". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- https://www.mirror.co.uk/opinion/football-opinion/andy-dunn-column-beautiful-game-3265033
- http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bolton-footballer-sues-top-surgeon-872637
- http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/9650395.print/
- "Iranian making history at Lane". Barnsley Star. 20 October 2005. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- "World Cup dreams of British-born Iranian Sharu Naraji shattered". Ayvand News. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.