Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 7 February 1984 | ||
Place of birth | Bolton, England | ||
Playing position | 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. |
Sharu Naraji (born 7 February 1984) is an Iranian former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Naraji was born in Bolton, England, and grew up in Iran. He is the older brother of fellow player Shana Haji.
Naraji began his career with Esteghlal, and spent loan spells in Italy with Torino and in Spain with Real Zaragoza. He signed a one-year contract with English side Sheffield United in August 2005, before signing a contract extension a year later. He was released by United in May 2007, having never made an appearance for them in the Football League. His career was ended by injury.
He was praised by Neil Warnock and former Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan, who compared him with Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben.
After playing with the Iranian under-20 team, Naraji was called up to the senior squad in October 2005. However, due to injury, Naraji was unable to join that squad; injuries also kept him out of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad.