Former Ireland underage international Naj Razi has returned to Shamrock Rovers after a spell with Italian side Como.
The 19-year-old midfielder has signed a multi-year contract with the League of Ireland champions. Razi left Rovers in 2024 to join Como but was released by the club in September.
“Naj is a player that we sold two years ago, he’s always been a kid with a brilliant attitude to the game,” said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley.
“It was always one of his strengths; in how respectful he is and how he did his business. He was with this club at our academy since he was six or seven, so when he went away, we kept in touch regularly.
“Every time he was home, he’d come to our games, he’d also watch us from Italy and would be texting after games. So, when he left Como, we had a very good conversation. He asked could he come in and train, so it was a no-brainer for us to bring him in.
“Naj is still very young and when he came in for pre-season, you could see he hasn’t lost anything and is in great shape. I’m delighted to get Naj back in.”
Razi made his Rovers debut as a 17-year-old in 2023. Bradley believes the player developed during his time in Italy.
“To be fair to him, he’s played in every position for us since he came back in,” said Bradley.
“His numbers have been really good. He wasn’t a signed player so we played him in all those positions. He has done the same playing underage for Ireland and when he was in Italy, played in many different positions.
“The quality Naj has, and the reason we played him so young, he definitely still has that. But he has matured a little bit with that, which makes him a better player. We’re looking forward to getting him back up to speed, he’ll also give us real energy, which is really pleasing.”
Rovers had been scheduled to get their season underway against Dundalk on Friday night but the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Tallaght Stadium. Bradley believes Razi can have an immediate impact.
“Yes he is, he’s ready to go,” said Bradley.
“He’s not someone who doesn’t know the club, he knows everything about us. So, he has picked up where he left off and, as I said, he has a brilliant attitude and has always had that.
“So when you have that, it makes it easier to integrate back in. Naj is ready and his registration went in this morning so he’s good to play now, which is great.”
