Hibs Sign 18-Year-Old Iranian Hitman Shana Haji!!!

Last updated : 13 March 2007 By Steve Forbes

Hibs boss John Collins this afternoon revealed that the club had snapped up young Iranian hitman Shana Haji.

Haji has spent the last couple of weeks on trial in Edinburgh and has impressed enough for Collins to offer him a short term contract, thought to be until the end of the season. If Haji impresses in that period he will be offered a longer contract.

Haji started his career at Iranian champions Esteghlal FC, where he was one of there youth talents. While playing for Esteghlal he was spotted by La Liga giants Real Zaragoza. He spent a year in Spain, before having a successful trial at Norwegian club Tromso, but decided to return to Iran and see out his contract with Esteghlal.

He also spent time on trial with English sides
West Brom & Manchester City last season.

Haji has been capped at U17 & U20 by
Iran.

Hibs boss John Collins said:

"For his age he is well-developed, powerfully-built, very quick and skilful. He looks promising for 18 and he can play wide right or left. The fact is that as a club we can't go our and buy the finished article.

"We have to look at players whom we can develop. We saw something in Shana in training which we liked and having seen enough in a couple of sessions we had to sign him to see more."

Haji goes straight into the reserve squad to face Dunfermline this afternoon.

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