Omar El Kaddouri returns to the PAOK family, this time in a new role. After a distinguished spell as a player for the Double-Headed Eagle, during which he was part of significant successes and unforgettable moments, the Moroccan now takes on coaching duties within the PAOK Academy.

Following his retirement from professional football, he turned his attention to coaching, beginning his managerial career with SPAL’s U17 team in Italy. He holds a UEFA A coaching licence.

Born in Brussels on August 21, 1990, to Moroccan parents, El Kaddouri took his first footballing steps at the Diegem Sport academy. His talent quickly became evident, attracting the attention of some of Belgium’s biggest clubs. RSC Anderlecht won the race for his signature and integrated him into their reserve team, where he spent two seasons between 2006 and 2008. Without receiving opportunities in the first team, he decided to seek his future elsewhere.

Brescia Calcio offered him a new challenge and, despite being only 18 years old, he did not hesitate to leave Belgium and move to Italy to play in Serie B. After impressing with the club’s youth and reserve teams, his professional debut came on March 29, 2009. Following several appearances for the first team, he spent the 2010-11 season on loan at FC Südtirol to gain valuable experience. He returned to Brescia a more mature player and completed the 2011-12 season with 40 appearances and seven goals across Serie B and the Coppa Italia. His performances attracted the attention of some of Italy’s top clubs.

Napoli was the club that placed its trust in him. Joining a highly competitive squad, El Kaddouri made 14 appearances in his first season, half of them in the UEFA Europa League, contributing one goal and one assist. However, he was eager for a more prominent role and found the ideal environment at Torino.

During two outstanding seasons in Turin, he fully showcased his talent, making 76 appearances, scoring nine goals, and providing 16 assists. He played a key role in Torino’s impressive Europa League campaign and established himself as one of the team’s most influential players.

His performances prompted Napoli supporters to demand his return, and the club brought him back. However, with Marek Hamšík occupying a central role, opportunities remained limited. Maurizio Sarri utilized him in various positions, but he was unable to secure a consistent run of matches. He finished the season with 20 appearances, one goal, and two assists.

In January, he joined Empoli, which invested €1.2 million to strengthen its battle against relegation. Despite his efforts, the club failed to avoid the drop, and El Kaddouri subsequently sought a transfer.

On August 24, 2017, he signed for PAOK.

During his time in black and white, El Kaddouri celebrated the historic unbeaten Double of 2019 and lifted two additional Greek Cups, in 2018 and 2021, winning four trophies in total with the club. His most productive season came in 2020-21, when he recorded three goals and six assists in 39 appearances. At the end of the 2022-23 season, he departed PAOK as a free agent.

His next destination was Romania, where he joined CFR Cluj for the 2023-24 season, making nine appearances and scoring once.

In the summer of 2024, he returned to Italy to join SPAL in Serie C. He spent one season with the club, making 15 appearances.

At international level, El Kaddouri was initially called up to Belgium’s Under-21 national team in November 2011, making two appearances and scoring against England in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. Shortly afterwards, he accepted a call-up from Morocco’s Olympic team and represented the country at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

On August 14, 2013, he made his senior debut for the Moroccan national team in a friendly against Burkina Faso. He went on to earn 30 caps for Morocco, scoring five goals.