Naj Razi

Naj Razi
Personal information
Full name Najemedine Razi
Date of birth (2006-10-28) 28 October 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Ireland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Como
Youth career
2011–2023 Shamrock Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 Shamrock Rovers 3 (0)
2024– Como 0 (0)
International career‡
2022–2023 Republic of Ireland U17 10 (3)
2023– Republic of Ireland U19 13 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:24, 1 February 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:01, 19 November 2024 (UTC)

Najemedine Razi (born 28 October 2006) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Como. He is a Republic of Ireland youth international.[1]

Early life

Born in Ireland, Razi is of Algerian descent.[2] He studied for his Leaving Cert at Ashfield College.[3]

Career

Shamrock Rovers

Razi made his Shamrock Rovers first team debut on 23 July 2023 against Dundalk in the FAI Cup.[4] In the following fixture he made his debut in the UEFA Conference League appearing as a substitute against Hungarian side Ferencvaros on 27 July.[5] On 22 September 2023, he made his League of Ireland debut against UCD.[6] The following month Rovers were confirmed as league champions.[7] On 30 October 2023, he made his first league start for Rovers against Cork City.[8]

Como

On 1 February 2024, Razi joined Serie B club Como on a contract until the summer of 2026, for an initial fee believed to be in the region of €450,000.[9][10] Razi had offers to train with both Arsenal and Chelsea before Como completed the deal before the Italian transfer window closed.[11]

Style of play

A forward, he is said to be able to operate from either wing.[12] He has also played as a number 10.[13]

International career

Razi scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland U17 side against Armenia U17 in October 2022.[14] In February 2023, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Hungary U17.[15]

He played for the Irish U17 team at the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[16] He scored as Ireland beat Wales U17 and helped the Irish side reach the quarter-finals.[17][18] Razi was named the FAI’s U-17 player of the year in June 2023 at the FAI International Football Awards.[19]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Shamrock Rovers 2023[1] LOI Premier Division 3 0 1 0 2[a] 0 0 0 6 0
Como 2023–24[1] Serie B 0 0 – – – 0 0
2024–25[1] Serie A 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Career Total 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 6 0
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa Conference League

References

  1. ^ a b c d "N.Razi". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ Pennington, James (November 3, 2023). "Who is Naj Razi? The Irish teenager wanted by the Premier League's biggest clubs". TEAMtalk.
  3. ^ "Naj Razi an 'exciting prospect' amid Euro giants' interest". RTE. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  4. ^ "FAI Cup Report: Dundalk FC 1 - 0 Shamrock Rovers". Extra Time. July 23, 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  5. ^ Ferris, Macdara (July 29, 2023). "Few positives for Bradley after Hoops suffer Hungary hammering". Extra Time. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. ^ "UCD's relegation confirmed as Shamrock Rovers miss chance to extend lead at the top". Independent.ie. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  7. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (27 October 2023). "How Shamrock Rovers won their fourth consecutive league title". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  8. ^ McDonnell, Daniel (30 October 2023). "Stephen Bradley fears over Rory Gaffney's future as he hails in-demand Naj Razi". Independent.ie. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Como 1907 Secures Irish Rising Star and U17 Youth International: Naj Razi". Como 1907. February 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Fallon, John (February 1, 2024). "Teenage starlet Naj Razi completes Como move from Shamrock Rovers". Irish Examiner.
  11. ^ "Young Shamrock Rovers star Naj Razi makes move to Italian outfit Como". Independent.ie. February 1, 2024.
  12. ^ Snyed, David (28 October 2023). "Real Madrid show interest in Shamrock Rovers star". the42.ie. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  13. ^ Diallo, Raf (22 May 2023). "Ireland U17s: 'All of them have had different journeys'". RTE. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  14. ^ O'Donoghue, Conor (October 21, 2022). "Ireland MU17 4-0 Armenia MU17". Irish Post. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Razi strike fires MU17s to victory over Hungary". Strikeronline.ie. 9 February 2023.
  16. ^ McDonnell, Daniel (28 October 2023). "Madrid giants Real and Atletico eyeing up move for Shamrock Rovers teen Naj Razi". Independent.ie. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ Fotzmaurice, Aidan (21 May 2023). "'We are going into the last game with the opportunity of getting out of the group' – Colin O'Brien hails Irish U17s after Welsh rout". Independent.ie. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Ruthless Ireland U17s beat Hungary book Euro quarter-final spot". RTE. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  19. ^ Cox, James (20 June 2023). "Collins and Ferguson win FAI men's player of the year awards". Breakingnews.ie. Retrieved 29 October 2023.