German-Iranian football wonderkid tipped to become new Hertha Berlin star: press

IRNA - German-Iranian teenager Shervin Rajabali- Fardi could become the new star at Hertha Berlin, only two weeks before the 2008/9 Bundesliga season kicks off, the Berlin sports press reported.

The 17-year-old left-wing defender has already made football history by becoming the youngest player at Hertha Berlin to play in an official game for the club.

A starter in Germany's Under-17 national team squad, Rajabali- Fardi is also set to make international football headlines by becoming the youngest player to ever play in the Bundesliga.

Hertha coach Lucien Favre is full of praise for Rajabali-Fardi, saying he would not be afraid of sending him onto the pitch during a Bundesliga or UEFA Cup match.

Rajabali-Fardi has already made his recent debut in the UEFA Cup during Berlin's 8-1 rout against lowly Moldavian club Nistru Otaci.

It was a "great feeling" to play in the UEFA Cup, said Rajabali- Fardi who recently signed a professional contract with Hertha until 2011.

Rajabali-Fardi whose father is Iranian and mother is German, sees Arsenal's Ashley Cole as his idol.