Azar Karadaş

Karadas was born in Nordfjordeid of Turkish origin, his surname meaning "Black Stone" in Turkish. He started his career with Eid IL, moving to the professionals in 1999 with SK Brann. On 13 March 2002, Karadas signed for Rosenborg BK, reportedly receiving death threats over this move. At his new club, his performances soon earned him a call-up to the Norwegian under-21s, and it was not long before foreign eyes focused on him. He further enhanced his reputation by scoring two goals against Inter Milan in a UEFA Champions League game, a 2–2 home draw; he was linked with the likes of Roda JC, Liverpool and Udinese Calcio, but Portuguese club S.L. Benfica eventually bought the 23-year-old, and he joined the squad of veteran coach Giovanni Trapattoni after signing a four-year contract. After one season at Benfica, where he scored four goals (including a brace at S.C. Beira-Mar in a 3–2 win) and helped them win the Primeira Liga championship after 11 years, Karadas was loaned to Premier League side Portsmouth for 2005–06. His volley, which helped the relegation-threatened team earn a crucial 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 1 February 2006, was both his highlight and only goal of the campaign, in 20 overall appearances. A 16 June 2006 Norwegian press release reported that Benfica and Brann had agreed on a Karadas transfer back to Bergen. The deal was speculated to be worth £695,000 (€102,000), where he was to give up £435,000 worth of bonuses Benfica owed him. Only his…

Karadas made his debut for the Norway national team on 24 January 2001, starting in a 3–2 win over South Korea for that year's Lunar New Year Cup. He returned to the team two years later for a friendly tour of the Middle East, scoring his only goal as a substitute to equalise in a 2–1 win over Oman. Karadas earned ten caps, over the course of seven years. His final game was a 2–2 exhibition at home to Uruguay, two years after his previous appearance.

After not renewing his playing contract with Brann, Karadas signed a three-year contract on 6 January to serve as an assistant coach for Brann 2 while taking his coaching badges; he had already finished his UEFA B-Licence while finishing his playing career. At the end of December 2019, he declined an offer to take up the role as head coach for newly formed Øygarden FK. After Brann 2 coach Roger Naustan announced he would leave at the end of his contract, Karadas was promoted to head coach from 1 January 2021. In September 2023 he started as assistant coach for Stabæk Fotball. In February 2024 he signed a one-year contract with IK Start. On 24 November 2024, he renewed his contract with three year.

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International

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