Futebol Clube de Arouca () is a professional football club based in Arouca, in the Porto metropolitan area. Founded in 1951, the club plays in the Primeira Liga, holding home games at Estádio Municipal de Arouca, with a 5,600-seat capacity.
History Founded on 25 December 1951, as a FC Porto subsidiary, Arouca spent the first five decades of its existence in the Aveiro regional leagues. In only two years (2006–08) it managed to reach the third division, being managed by television (RTP) presenter Jorge Gabriel for a few months during that timeframe.Jorge Gabriel não esquece passagem por Arouca (Jorge Gabriel does not forget time in Arouca) ; Metro News, 17 June 2008
Arouca managed its fourth promotion in only seven years at the end of 2012–13, reaching the Primeira Liga for the first time in its history.Vitor Oliveira: o especialista das subidas (Vitor Oliveira: the promotion specialist) ; Record, 12 May 2013 Subsequently, the Arouca Municipality awarded the club the Medal of Gold Merit for its achievement,Câmara de Arouca atribui medalha de mérito ao clube (Arouca City Hall gives medal of merit to club) ; Record, 4 June 2013 with the organization also being granted extra financial means to renovate and expand its stadium.Arouca: estádio renovado em contrarrelógio (Arouca: renovated stadium against the clock) ; Mais Futebol, 18 May 2013
In 2015–16 under Lito Vidigal, Arouca finished a best-ever fifth place, qualifying for the first time to the UEFA Europa League. After beating Heracles Almelo of the Netherlands on the away goals rule, they lost the play-off 3–1 after extra time to Olympiacos of Greece. A year after their peak finish, Arouca were relegated, ending their four years at the top.
A two-year spell in the second division for Arouca ended in May 2019 when on the last day of the season, they lost to U.D. Oliveirense and Varzim S.C. defeated Académica de Coimbra; this ended nine years in the professional leagues. The 2019–20 season was truncated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Arouca and Vizela were due to be promoted because of their final position; competitors Olhanense successfully appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport for these promotions to be suspended.
Players Current squad
Out on loan
Statistics Most appearances
Rank Player Appearances Goals1 David Simão 222 142 André Bukia 175 243 Nuno Coelho 174 114 Tiago Esgaio 148 85 João Basso 136 196 Thales Oleques 133 77 Hélder Silva 130 168 Roberto 124 329 Adílio Santos 117 2410 Morlaye Sylla 114 10
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Appearances Goals1 Joeano 68 462 Rafa Mújica 68 373 Roberto 124 324 Fábio Fortes 62 275 Adílio Santos 117 24 André Bukia 175 247 André Silva 80 218 João Basso 136 199 Cristo González 44 1810 Alfonso Trezza 98 16 Hélder Silva 130 16
Managerial history
Acácio Figueiredo (2000–2001) Francisco Batista (2001–2002) Artur Quaresma (2003 – June 2004) Vasco Coelho (1 July 2004 – 1 November 2004) Rui Correia (1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007) Jorge Gabriel (1 July 2007 – 4 February 2008) José Pedro (4 February 2008 – 30 June 2009) Carlos Secretário (1 July 2009 – 7 December 2009) Henrique Nunes (9 December 2009 – 20 September 2011) Vítor Oliveira (21 September 2011 – 30 June 2013) Pedro Emanuel (1 July 2013 – 25 May 2015) Lito Vidigal (1 July 2015 – 11 February 2017) Manuel Machado (11 February 2017 – 21 March 2017) Jorge Leitão (22 March 2017 – 30 June 2017) Jorge Costa (1 July 2017 – 14 September 2017) Miguel Leal (15 September 2017 – 26 September 2018) Quim Machado (27 September 2018 – 30 June 2019) Henrique Nunes (1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020) Armando Evangelista (1 July 2020 – 11 June 2023) Daniel Ramos (1 July 2023 – 15 November 2023) Daniel Sousa (15 November 2023 – 19 May 2024) Gonzalo García (21 May 2024 – 28 October 2024) Vasco Seabra (29 October 2024 – present)
Honours Segunda Divisão 2009–10 Terceira Divisão 2007–08 Aveiro Regional League 2006–07, 2002–03
Seasons SeasonTierDomestic LeagueCupOther CupsEurope / OtherTop goalscorer(s)LeagueDivisionPWDLFAPtsPosNameGoals1985–864Aveiro INorte33891629545816th—Aveiro Cup1986–875Aveiro IINorte2620517810711st—Aveiro Cup1987–88?—Aveiro Cup1988–89?—Aveiro Cup1989–90?—Aveiro Cup1990–91?—Aveiro Cup1991–92?—Aveiro Cup1992–93?—Aveiro Cup1993–94?—Aveiro Cup1994–95?—Aveiro Cup1995–96?—Aveiro Cup1996–975Aveiro IA30422417551415th—Aveiro Cup1997–986Aveiro I BNorte30791st—Aveiro Cup1998–995Aveiro IA30135123237445th—Aveiro Cup1999–003011th—Aveiro Cup2000–013018844418621st—Aveiro CupPlay-Off63211010112nd2001–024III DivisãoC341161744603915thR1—2002–035Aveiro I38891st—Aveiro Cup2003–044III DivisãoC341171641464015thR2—2004–055Aveiro I38211255429753rd—Aveiro Cup2005–0638198116842655th—Aveiro Cup2006–073425636718811st—Aveiro Cup2007–084III DivisãoC3621965926481stR2—Play-OffCancelled due to financial constraintsShared2008–093II DivisãoB2292112623297thR4—Play-Out105141213317th2009–10II DivisãoCentro3017674123571stR2—Play-Off42024561st2010–112II Liga30111094741575thR3League CupR3N'Jock; Kiko122011–12307131032363413thR2League CupR1Joeano192012–13422110116548732ndQFLeague CupR1Joeano272013–141I Liga30871528423112thR5League CupR2Roberto92014–1534772026502816thR3League CupR3Roberto62015–1634131564738545thQFLeague CupR3Walter González72016–1734952033573217thR3League CupR3ELPOKuca82017–182II Liga381611114237596thR4League CupR2Roberto Rodrigo112018–193410101340454016thR4League CupR2Fábio Fortes92019–203C. Portugal.D2518434919581stR4Fábio Fortes182020–212II Liga34201045526703rdR3André Silva7Play-off2200501st2021–221I Liga347101730543115thR3League CupR2André Silva102022–2334159103637545thR5League CupSFRafa Mújica142023–2434League CupR3ECLPO
ChampionsRunners-upQualified for the Europa LeagueQualified for the Europa Conference LeaguePromotedQualified for Play-OffRelegated Last updated: 10 November 2023 KeyMeaningKeyMeaningPPlayedQRQualifying RoundWGames wonGSGroup StageDGames drawnRRoundLGames lostQFQuarter-FinalsGFGoals forSFSemi-FinalsGAGoals againstRURunner UpPtsPointsWWinnerPosFinal position?No information
European record UEFA club competition record Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate 2016–17 UEFA Europa League Heracles Almelo 0–0 1–1 1–1 (a) Olympiacos0–1 1–2 1–3 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League Brann 2–1 1–3 3–4
Notes 3Q: Third qualifying round PO: Play-off
UEFA coefficient
Correct as of 21 May 2025.
Rank Team Points127 Cercle Brugge K.S.V.12.750128 HJK Helsinki12.500129 F.C. Arouca12.453130 Gil Vicente F.C.12.453131 C.D. Santa Clara12.453
References
External links