Full name | Deportivo Rayo Zuliano | ||
---|---|---|---|
Founded | 2005 | ||
Ground | Estadio José Pachencho Romero | ||
Capacity | 40,800 | ||
Chairman | Javier Portillo[1] | ||
Manager | Elvis Martínez[2] | ||
League | Primera División | ||
2023 | Primera División, 8th of 15 | ||
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Deportivo Rayo Zuliano is a Venezuelan professional football club based in Maracaibo. Founded in 2005, the club play in the Venezuelan Primera División, hosting their home matches at the Estadio José Pachencho Romero.
Founded in 2005, Deportivo Rayo Zuliano played in the 2005–06 edition of the Torneo AspirantesVenezuelan Tercera División, narrowly missing out on promotion to Segunda División B in 2007–08 and then achieving mid-table campaigns in 2008–09 and 2009–10.[3]
, the third division in the country, before spending a year inactive. The club later entered the inaugural season of theIn 2010, Rayo Zuliano ceased to play in the Tercera División, and only returned to a professional status in 2021, after merging with Atlético FurrialSegunda División.[4] After an eighth position finish in their group in 2021, the club led their group in 2022, but were knocked out in the promotion phase.
and being admitted in the year'sOn 12 December 2022, it was announced that Rayo Zuliano would merge with Primera División side Zulia, taking their place in the top tier.[5] The merger was officially confirmed on 28 January 2023.[6] Rayo Zuliano were able to place eighth in their first Primera División campaign, which allowed them to qualify for the 2024 Copa Sudamericana.[7]