Sports > Football > SHAHRUZ NARAJI THE SECOND IRANIAN IN THE PREMIERSHIP BY AFSHIN DASTAFSHAN
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Sharu Naraji of Sheffield United is one of three Iranians to have played in England’s lucrative Premiership football league, Sharu played in Italy and Spain previously; his progress in England has been hampered by injury, however he is expected to return to the pitch within weeks, I had the pleasure of meeting the 23 year old player recently.
Shahruz Hajimollah Ahmad Naraji better known as Sharu Naraji in Europe is the brother of Shahnam Hajimollah Naraji (Shana Haji) who recently joined Hibernian FC in Scotland. Sharu was born in Bolton England but grew up in Iran; Sharu joined Esteghlal FC when he was in his early teens but broke into European football when he moved to Torino FC of Italy in a 3 month loan deal in 2004. Sharu’s talents were spotted in neighbouring Spain, after spending his summer break in Tehran Sharu signed a loan deal with Spanish La Liga side Real Zaragoza where he played for the youth as well as the senior reserve side in season 2004-2005.
Then came his move to England and the then Championship Division side Sheffield United in July 2005; after a trial Sharu Naraji earned himself a one year deal, head coach Neil Warnock was impressed by Sharu and assured the young Iranian that Sharu was part of his plans. Sheffield United were promoted to the Premiership that season but unfortunately for Sharu he picked up a Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in a pre-season friendly match 5 weeks into his contract, the ACL injury kept Sharu out of the team for the whole of 2005-2006 season, the Iranian football federation had also invited Sharu to join the national side ‘Team Melli’ in Iran’s world cup warm-up match against South Korea in October 2005, however the ACL injury meant Sharu missed the chance to play for Iran in world cup 2006 finals.
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Sharu’s contract at Sheffield United was extended to the end of 2006-2007 season, but sadly his first reconstructive operation which was carried out in England had been a failure, after an agonising 9 months of rehabilitation, physiotherapy and exercises Sharu took to the pitch in a pre-season friendly against Chesterfield in September 2006 only for the ACL injury to recur as a consequence of surgery error, the injury recurrence put Sharu out of the team this season. This time Sharu was sent to USA and had a second reconstructive operation done by the specialist and world leading ACL surgeon Dr Shelbourne. Sharu has been on the road to recovery since his second surgery, he is expected to return to the pitch in July, Sharu feels confident that his second surgery has been successful; he can feel the difference while exercising and running. Sharu is fully focused on his training and fitness, he is counting the minutes to the day he makes his return appearance for Sheffield United hopefully in a pre-season match in July. Sharu is hoping to be invited to Team Melli for Iran’s world cup 2010 qualifying matches. Sharu is a right winger and an attacking player. I wish Shahruz Naraji all the best and will stay in contact with him to monitor his progress.
For the record former Iranian international Karim Bagheri who previously played in Germany’s Bundesliga was the first Iranian to join a Premiership club when he signed with Charlton Athletics, his arrival in English football took the media in Iran by storm, however apart from two appearances coming on as substitute Bagheri failed to break into the first team. Andranik Teymourian is the third Iranian player to join England’s Premiership after Shahruz Naraji, Teymourian has done well this season and has secured his first team place at Bolton Wanderers FC scoring 4 goals this season (2 in the premiership, 2 in Cup competition).
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