Birsent Karagaren

Birsent Hamdi Karagaren is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Arda Kardzhali and the Bulgaria national team. He made his debut for his country in October 2019.

Career

Born in Asenovgrad, Karagaren played as a youth for local club Asenovets and Lokomotiv Plovdiv. He also spent time in Shumen, Etar 1924 and Vereya, before joined Lokomotiv Plovdiv in 2014.

On 19 January 2017 Karagaren signed for Dunav Ruse from Lokomotiv Plovdiv. He made his debut for the team on 17 February 2017 in a 0:4 loss to Beroe. In the next match for the league on 24 February, he scored both goals for the 2:0 win against Botev Plovdiv, becoming a man of the match. He scored again in the match against Levski Sofia on 28 February 2017.

In January 2023, Karagaren became part of the ranks of CSKA 1948. On 25 July 2024, he scored the only goal in the 1:0 victory at home against Montenegrin team Budućnost Podgorica in a UEFA Conference League qualifying match, securing CSKA 1948's first ever win in a European club tournament.

In June 2025, it was confirmed that he had joined Arda Kardzhali on a two-year contract. On 31 July 2025, Karagaren netted the equalizing goal for his team in the 2:2 second leg away draw with Finnish team HJK in a UEFA Conference League qualifying match, which was decided in Arda's favour following a penalty shootout. This was the first match in which Arda managed to find the net in European tournaments and also the first time in which it was able to eliminate an opponent and advance to a further round.

Karagaren received his first call-up for senior Bulgarian squad in October 2019 for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Montenegro and England on 11 and 14 October. He made his debut on 11 October 2019 in a game against Montenegro. He substituted Wanderson in the 77th minute.

;Lokomotiv Plovdiv