Turkish midfielder Jem karacan played on trial for Norwich's Under-23's in a 4-0 defeat to Portsmouth on 23rd January 2017.

Karacan was a youth team player at Wimbledon between the age of 7 and 14 but left when the club relocated to Milton Keynes. Whilst on trial with Manchester United, he was spotted by scouts from Reading who recruited him.

He signed a professional contract with Reading in June 2007 and went on to make 175 appearances for the Royals. His debut was against Luton on 26th August 2007 in the League Cup where he scored. He had loan spells at both Bournemouth (2007, 13 appearances, 1 goal) and Millwall (2008, 7 appearances).

On 8th July 2015, he transferred to Turkish giants Galatasaray on a three year contract after his Reading contract expired. In February 2016, he was loaned to Bursaspor until the end of the 2015/16 season.

He left Galatasaray by mutual consent on 6th January 2017, having made just 2 appearances.

Although he has dual English and Turkish nationality, he chose to represent Turkey and played for them at Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels. He was called up to the full squad in October 2012 but was an unused substitute.

Karacan joined Bolton on 11th March 2017 on a one-month contract, making his debut for the Trotters from the substitutes bench that same day, coming on for Darren Pratley in a 4-2 win away at Fleetwood Town. On the final day of the season, Karacan scored the opening goal to put Bolton 1-0 up against Peterborough United in a 3-0 win, which was enough to seal promotion back to Championship as runners up

At the end of the 2017/18 season, he was released by Bolton and rejoined Millwall on 17th August 2018 on a short term contract until January 2019.

On 24 January 2019, Australian side Central Coast Mariners announced the signing of Karacan on a contract until the end of their 2018–19 season

On 4th January 2021 he signed for Scunthorpe until the end of the 2020/21 season. He left on 13th May 2021 having made 24 appearances.

On 2nd July 2022 he signed for non-league Radcliffe but announced his retirement on 23rd January 2023.