FK Atlantas


FK Atlantas was a Lithuanian professional football club based in the port city of Klaipėda.
The club's name has changed several times. It was established in 1962 as Granitas, and became PSK Aras in 1993. Since 1996, when FK Sirijus Klaipėda was absorbed into the club, it has had the name Atlantas, which in Lithuanian means.
Atlantas were the SSR Lithuanian champions in 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1984.

History

The modern-day Atlantas was founded in 1996. During the Soviet occupation of Klaipėda, the team was known as Granitas. Atlantas was a farm club of Granitas from 1970. The name Atlantas was used in Lithuanian championships and Granitas in Soviet Union championships. During the period of Lithuanian independence from 1990, the tradition of using Granitas and Atlantas was lost, but in 1996, the team was reestablished and named Atlantas.
In summer 2018, the club had financial problems because its bank accounts were suspended. The club owners considered all possibilities to save the club from dissolution. In the first half of the 2018 A Lyga, the club was in fourth position; after the summer, they failed to win any games in the championship and lost their position. After 28 rounds, however, they were in sixth position and could play in the final stage of the championship. The 29th round was a loss to FC Stumbras 0–6.
In January 2019, it was reported that the club lost its sponsorships from businesses and the City of Klaipėda, meaning the club would soon become defunct.
In February 2019, the club changed owners. The new chief was Vidas Adomaitis.
On 5 December 2019, the Lithuanian Football Federation announced that two A Lyga clubs, FK Atlantas and FK Palanga, had been excluded from the A Lyga, fined €30,000 and had been relegated to II Lyga due to manipulation of match results. Five players were punished with fines and a ban from all football activity ranging from 6 to 12 months.
In 2020, Atlantas was in Antra lyga, and after the first round was one of the top six teams. In the final stages, the team had chances for promotion to Pirma lyga.

Name history

  • 1962 – Granitas Klaipėda
  • 1970 – Atlantas Klaipėda
  • 1996 – FK Atlantas Klaipėda

    Honours

Domestic

Soviet Championship
FK Atlantas supporters were called Vakarų Frontas. They maintained friendly relations with fans of Žalgiris Vilnius and Rangers FC.

Crest and colours

The crest features a yellow seahorse with a football on the background. In the middle of the crest is white text stating Atlantas at the top and Klaipėda in smaller text under it. The logo contains some white.
Since the beginning, the club has used the colors yellow and blue on their kits.

Kit manufacturers

  • 2013–2016: Jako
  • 2017–2018: Puma
  • 2018–present: Adidas

    Season-by-season

; Lithuania

2020 squad

Notable and famous players

FK Atlantas players who have either appeared for their respective national team at any time or received an individual award while at the club.
;Lithuania
;Europe
;South America
;Africa
;Asia
  • Minoru Takenaka

    European cups history

2020 staff

Managers