Pic: George Kelly
Saturday afternoon saw Shamrock Rovers confirm the return of Naj Razi from Como. A return to the club appeared to be the likely outcome after reports had surfaced that he had begun training with them a couple of weeks ago. The 19-year-old’s second debut for the Hoops will likely be in the near future as Stephen Bradley already spoke of how “ready” he is to continue from where he left off.
Razi departed the 22-time league champions two years ago for Cesc Fabregas’s Como side. He failed to get any senior minutes at the club but was named on the bench for a league clash with AC Milan.
Return of a familiar face
Razi is a player who knows the club well. This could make his return seamless and potentially ready to feature in Friday’s opener at Tolka Park. Bradley is delighted at the return of a familiar face, adding that the pair remained in regular contact throughout his time in Italy. The player has been around Shamrock Rovers since his childhood, leaving the manager with a “no-brainer” of a decision.
He is joining a club that is not resting on its laurels. Shamrock Rovers have made strides to ensure they maintain the competitive edge that won them the double last year. For Razi, he is aware of the demands of the green and white shirt from his previous stint under Bradley.
What Razi adds
Supporters are expected to be excited by this signing, stemming from the reports that he was training with Shamrock Rovers. Due to Razi’s experience, he knows the club well, and that is destined to stand to him. This provides the element of knowing what to expect when facing different oppositions, particularly the three Dublin derbies this month.
This signing offers the club a player who requires little embedding. He will be eager to put the jersey back on, potentially starting away to Shelbourne on Friday night. Bradley has already said he is “ready to go”, suggesting minutes are on offer for him for the trip to Drumcondra.
Razi is a player who made his senior debut for Shamrock Rovers in 2023 before sealing a move to Como. During that spell, his debut came aged 16 in a league fixture with UCD. He also featured in the UEFA Europa League qualifier against Ferencvaros.
Timing before Shelbourne
The signing of Razi was confirmed by Shamrock Rovers on Saturday, the day after the postponed clash with Dundalk. However, due to his fitness and Bradley’s excitement, all signals lead to a second debut in the upcoming clash with Shelbourne. The manager even added, “Naj is ready, and his registration went in this morning, so he’s good to play now, which is great.”
Razi is another signing since the appointment of Ronan Finn as sporting director. The move is a shrewd one, adding personnel who are familiar with the club and are aged just 19. He is the second to resign since Finn’s arrival, Enda Stevens being the other. It would appear that the club are identifying targets who know the club and are enthusiastic about returning.