Sharu Naraji

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Sharu Naraji
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-02-07) 7 February 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Bolton, England
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
2000–2004 Esteghlal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Esteghlal
2004Torino (loan) 0 (0)
2004–2005Real Zaragoza (loan) 0 (0)
2005–2007 Sheffield United 0 (0)
International career
Iran U20
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sharu Naraji (born 7 February 1984) is an Iranian former professional footballer who played as a winger.

Early and personal life[edit]

Naraji was born in Bolton, England, and grew up in Iran. He is the older brother of fellow player Shana Haji.[1][2]

Career[edit]

Club career[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Afshin Dastafshan. "SHAHRUZ NARAJI THE SECOND IRANIAN IN THE PREMIERSHIP". Persian Mirror. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  2. ^ "Footballmedia.net - footballmedia Resources and Information".
  3. ^ a b "Naraji pens one-year Blades deal". BBC Sport. 2 August 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Iranian Naraji joins Sheffield". AFC. 8 August 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Sharu Naraji signs with Sheffield United". Iran Goals. 2 August 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Blades cut players free". 4 The Game. 21 May 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  7. ^ "SHEFFIELD UNITED : 1946/47 - 2009/10". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  8. ^ "Why the beautiful game can't always compensate for the ugliest injustices". Daily Mirror. 3 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Bolton footballer sues top surgeon for £10m claim that botched operation wrecked career". 7 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Ex-Premier player loses £10m battle in the courts".
  11. ^ "Iranian making history at Lane". Barnsley Star. 20 October 2005. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  12. ^ "World Cup dreams of British-born Iranian Sharu Naraji shattered". Ayvand News. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.