Who is Naj Razi? The Shamrock Rovers wonderkid wanted by Real Madrid and Chelsea
Cameron Smith
- 31 Oct 2023 16:51 GMT
- 4 min read
The Republic of Ireland is experiencing a wave of young talents as they begin to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
Evan Ferguson is set to be the nation’s talisman for years to come, but he is not the only youngster catching the eyes of elite clubs from the Premier League.
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Shamrock Rovers wonderkid Raj Razi has burst onto the senior stage this year and he is being tracked by the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But, who is Razi and just how good can he become?
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What position does Naj Razi play in?
Razi is an attacking midfielder, but he is also able to play deeper in midfield. His first start for Shamrock came in a double pivot.
How good is Naj Razi?
Razi is one of the brightest young Irish talents and he has already broken into the Shamrock Rovers first-team at the age of just 17.
The attacking midfielder won Ireland’s U17 Player of the Year award after playing a key role in their run to the U17 European Championship quarter-finals in 2023. It was his performances at this tournament that caught the attention of scouts from Europe’s biggest clubs.
Let’s appreciate Ike Orazi’s run before laying it off for Naj Razi to finish 🫢👏
A fine goal saw Ireland MU17s beat Hungary 1-0 today 🇮🇪#IRLU17 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/ueWxfyoySC— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) February 9, 2023
Razi made his senior Shamrock Rovers debut off the bench against Dundalk in the FAI Cup in July 2023 and his first start came in a 0-0 draw versus Cork City on October 30, 2023.
He played 90 minutes in that match and put in a solid performance, drawing four fouls (the most of any player) and breaking up play nicely.
What clubs are interested in signing Naj Razi?
There are several elite European clubs interested in signing Razi. According to the Irish Independent, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are both “mulling over” signing Razi, while Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all keeping tabs on the Shamrock Rovers youngster.
Brexit rules mean that Razi is unable to join an English club until he turns 18, but he is able to join a Spanish side at any time.
When does Naj Razi’s contract expire?
Razi is under 18, which means his current contract length is unknown.
How old is Naj Razi?
Razi was born on October 28, 2006. He is 17 years old at the time of writing.
What is Naj Razi’s Instagram?
Razi’s Instagram account is @naj.razi. He has 4.9k followers as of October 2023.
