Azar Karadaş

Club

Start

Position

Manager

Nationality

Norway

Date of birth

1981-08-09

Birthplace

Nordfjordeid, Norway

Height

189 cm

Azar Karadas (Turkish: Azar Karadaş; born 9 August 1981) is a Norwegian former footballer. Although he could also play as a central defender, he operated primarily as a centre forward.

He had three spells with Brann, where he began and ended his career, winning Tippeligaen with that team and with Rosenborg. He also competed professionally in Portugal, England, Germany and Turkey.

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 personal contract was an issue, as the player refused to give up a £350,000 compensation which had to be paid to him whenever he was sold from the Lisbon club.

Despite being declared unwanted in Lisbon, Karadas returned to Benfica after his transfer to Brann fell through. On 16 August 2006, news broke out that he was in negotiations with Germany's 1. FC Kaiserslautern, which had just been relegated to the 2. Bundesliga; the clubs finally agreed with a one-year loan deal, brokered by his uncle who was also his agent.

Karadas made his debut in German football on 27 August 2006 in a 2–0 home league v