FC Dinamo City
Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Football Club Dinamo City, commonly referred to as Dinamo City and colloquially known as Dinamo, is an Albanian professional football club based in Tirana. They compete in the Kategoria Superiore, the top tier of Albanian football. Founded in 1950, the club was historically affiliated to the Interior Ministry and having won 18 National Championships, it is considered to be the second most decorated club after local rivals KF Tirana.
History
The club was officially founded on 3 March 1950 by the Interior Ministry of Albania during the communist regime under dictator Enver Hoxha. They won four consecutive championships from 1950 to 1953.[1] During this time, Dinamo recorded a hot streak of 25 consecutive wins, a record in Albanian football and 4th longest domestic winning streak in Europe.[1]
In 1967, Dinamo won its 9th championship by leaving Tirana, then 17 Nëntori, one point behind, who was expelled for the tournament three weeks before the end.[2] This championship is not officially recognised by UEFA, however.
In 1989, Dinamo eventually finished third in the league which was won by 17 Nëntori, which made eligible to play in European Cup Winners' Cup for the third time in their history.[3] In the preliminary round of the tournament the team faced Chernomorets Burgas, losing the first leg 1–3 (Demollari scoring the lone goal for Dinamo City) but winning the second 4–0 at home, thus recording its biggest win in a UEFA club competition.[4] The team then was eliminated in the first round by Dinamo București despite winning the first leg in Tirana 1–0. Dinamo București won the second leg 2–0.
In 1995, the team were renamed KS Olimpik Tirana to leave behind the "communist past", but the club returned to their original name two years later.[5]
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After finishing third in the table in 2005–06 season, Dinamo City named Faruk Sejdini as their new coach. One of Albania's best teachers of footballing fundamentals, he had a spell at the club last term before being dismissed by president Besnik Sulaj. Having returned following a spell at Shkumbini, Sejdini said: "It's nice to be back." On 23 October 2006, he was fired.
At the start of the 2007–08 season, Agim Canaj took over as head coach, replacing Ilir Daja who led Dinamo towards the championship title, after a dramatic win against Partizani 2–1 in the final match, playing for 36 minutes with 9 players. In the summer of 2008, Ilir Daja moved into a position as director in order to make place for Marcelo Javier Zuleta from Argentina. The Argentinian coach also brought with him four Argentinian players; goalkeeper Daniel Bertoya, defender Alejandro Palladino, midfielder Agustín González, and striker Cristian Campozano. Zuleta only lasted for the first Champions League qualification match against Bosnians FK Modriča before he was replaced as coach by Artan Mërgjyshi, for only one match.
Together with Zuleta, the four Argentinian players also left the club. After Mërgjyshi left, Zlatko Dalić, the current head coach of Croatia, was appointed as new coach for Dinamo. He signed a two-year contract with the club. That deal was broken when Dinamo lost its second game in the re-beginning of the 2008–09 season against Partizani. Shkëlqim Muça was then appointed manager of the club five days after of Zlatko Dalić's leave. In the 2009–10 season, Dinamo won the championship again, registering its 18th success.[6]
In 2011–12 season, the club experienced its worst period of all time, finishing last in the league with 13 points from 26 matches, winning only 3 times. They were relegated to the Kategoria e Parë for the first time in their history.[7] Since the 2012–13 season, the club have played in the Kategoria e Parë and have risked relegation to the third tier several times.[8] After spending 9 seasons in the second division, Dinamo clinched the promotion to the Superiore, confirming first place in Group A following a 2–0 win against FK Vora.
On 25 August 2023, it was officially announced by president Bardhi that the club would rebrand to Dinamo City, ahead of the 2023–24 Kategoria Superiore season.
Stadium
Dinamo City has historically played at Selman Stërmasi Stadium which was also known as Dinamo Stadium when it first opened. After a spell playing at Niko Dovana Stadium, Durrës, Dinamo rebranded in 2023 and now play at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.
Supporters
The "Blue Boys" are an Ultras group for the Albanian football team, Dinamo City. The group were formed in 2008 and have gained 5,000 followers as of 2021. They organise meetings and trips to matches in Tirana and also away matches in Albania and even abroad. They promote Dinamo City to the local public and influence fans of the club in a number of ways.[9]
Honours
Domestic
Dinamo are the second most successful and decorated club in Albania, having won (18) league titles Kategoria Superiore. The club also holds the win Albanian Cups (14) and Albanian Supercups (3). The club's most recent trophy was the 2025 Albanian Supercup won on 28 December 2025.
| Type | Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Kategoria Superiore | 18 | 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1966–67, 1972–73, 1974–75 File:Star full.svg, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1985–86, 1989–90, 2001–02, 2007–08, 2009–10 |
| Albanian Cup | 14 | 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1960, 1970–71, 1973–74, 1977–78, 1981–82 File:Star full.svg, 1988–89, 1989–90, 2002–03, 2024–25 | |
| Albanian Supercup | 3 | 1989, 2008, 2025 | |
| Double | 6 | 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1960, 1989–90 | |
| Europe | Balkans Cup | RU | 1969 |
Internationally, they lost a final in the Balkan Cup in 1969 against Beroe Stara Zagora. They won the first leg in Tirana 1–0 with a goal by Bahri Ishka, but in the return match they lost 3–0 by forfeit because during the regime of Enver Hoxha, travel wasn't allowed to Bulgaria.
FC Dinamo City in Europe
Dinamo City have given good performances in Europe among Albanian squads, winning 3 ties in Europe.
Submarine blues In their European path, Dinamo have played against "big guns" such as: Ajax, Austria Wien, etc. Drawn against teams such as Sporting Lisbona, Beşiktaş, Dinamo București, Olympique Marseille, Brøndby, CSKA Sofia, Sheriff Tiraspol, CZ Jena, Aberdeen, Hajduk Split, etc. Dinamo has passed 6 rounds in the European cups, defeating opponents like Ħamrun Spartans, Chernomorets Burgas, Kaunas, Atlètic Club d'Escaldes and Hajduk Split.
The evening of August 14, 2025 is historic for Dinamo as for the first time after almost 15 years of absence from European cups, they reached the play-off stage of the UEFA Conference League where they defeated HNK Hajduk Split 3-1 with goals from Zabërgja and Qardaku and Hekuran Berisha.
- QR = Qualifying Round
- 1QR = 1st Round
- 2QR = 2nd Round
- 3QR = 3rd Round
- PO = Play-Off
- Clubs which ultimately won the tournament in that same season are indicated in bold
Europe
- Biggest ever European home victory: Dinamo 4–0 Template:Flagicon PFC Chernomorets Burgas (30 August 1989)
- Biggest ever European home defeat: Dinamo 0–4 Template:Flagicon Brøndby IF (7 August 2002)
Dinamo 0–4 Template:Flagicon KSC Lokeren - Biggest ever European away victory:Template:Flagicon FBK Kaunas 2–3 Dinamo (17 July 2002)
- Biggest ever European away defeat:Template:Flagicon Olympique Marseille 5–1 Dinamo (19 September 1990)
- Most European appearances: Template:Flagicon Arjan Pisha (24)
- Most European goals: Template:Flagicon Sulejman Demollari (6)
Record transfers
| Rank | Player | To | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Template:Flagicon Eduard Abazaj | Template:Flagicon Hajduk Split | €1.00k | 1990 |
| 2. | Template:Flagicon Baton Zabërgja | Template:Flagicon Metalist 1925 | €800k | 2025 |
| 3. | Template:Flagicon Peter Itodo | Template:Flagicon Metalist 1925 | €700k | 2025 |
| 4. | Template:Flagicon Simon Simoni | Template:Flagicon Eintracht Frankfurt | €600k | 2022 |
| 5. | Template:Flagicon Elis Bakaj | Template:Flagicon Dinamo București | €250k | 2010 |
| Template:Flagicon Jahmir Hyka | Template:Flagicon Rosenborg | €250k | 2005 |
Recent seasons
Last Season of Dinamo in Kategoria Superiore
Players
Current squad
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Academy players with first-team appearances
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Out on loan
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Current staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Template:Flagicon Ilir Daja |
| Assistant coach | Template:Flagicon Renaldo Kalari |
| Template:Flagicon Glen Daja | |
| Goalkeeping coach | Template:Flagicon Ilir Bozhiqi |
| Template:Flagicon Blendi Baholli | |
| Fitness coach | Template:Flagicon Korrado Sacone |
| Team manager | Template:Flagicon Ergi Kasmi |
| Physio | Template:Flagicon Gledi Rexha |
| Template:Flagicon Ramiz Reçi | |
| President | Template:Flagicon Adrian Bardhi |
| General director | Template:Flagicon Ermal Barushi |
| Sports director | Template:Flagicon Haris Fakić |
Top scorers (Golden Boot)
| Season | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Template:Flagicon Skënder Jareci | 23 |
| 1958 | Template:Flagicon Skënder Jareci | 14 |
| 1960 | Template:Flagicon Skënder Jareci | 16 |
| 1970–71 | Template:Flagicon Ilir Përnaska | 19 |
| 1971–72 | Template:Flagicon Ilir Përnaska | 17 |
| 1972–73 | Template:Flagicon Ilir Përnaska | 12 |
| 1973–74 | Template:Flagicon Ilir Përnaska | 19 |
| 1974–75 | Template:Flagicon Ilir Përnaska | 17 |
| 1975–76 | Template:Flagicon Ilir Përnaska | 18 |
Notable players
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List of managers
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- Template:Flagicon Zihni Gjinali (1949–1956)
- Template:Flagicon Zyber Konçi (1959–1961)
- Template:Flagicon Xhevdet Shaqiri (1960s)
- Template:Flagicon Skënder Jareci (1966–1973)
- Template:Flagicon Sabri Peqini (1974–1975)
- Template:Flagicon Durim Shehu (1975–1977)
- Template:Flagicon Saimir Dauti (1977–1980)
- Template:Flagicon Stavri Lubonja (1979–1981)
- Template:Flagicon Fatmir Frashëri (1985–1986)
- Template:Flagicon Bejkush Birçe (1987–1991)
- Template:Flagicon Neptun Bajko (1991)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (1992–1993)
- Template:Flagicon Vasillaq Zëri (1994)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (1994–1997)
- Template:Flagicon Gani Xhafa (1997)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (1998–1999)
- Template:Flagicon Bujar Kasmi (1999–2000)
- Template:Flagicon Shpëtim Duro (2000)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (2000–2001)
- Template:Flagicon Astrit Hafizi (2001)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (Sep 2001 – Aug 2002)
- Template:Flagicon Aurel Țicleanu (2002–03)
- Template:Flagicon Agim Canaj (May 2003 – Jun 2003)
- Template:Flagicon Andrea Marko (Aug 2003 – Oct 2003)
- Template:Flagicon Sulejman Demollari (4 Oct 2003 – 20 Feb 2004)
- Template:Flagicon Vasil Bici (15 Mar 2004 – Jul 2004)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (Jul 2004 – 25 Sep 2004)
- Template:Flagicon Pedro Pasculli (25 Sep 2004 – 30 Oct 2004)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (30 Oct 2004 – 15 Jan 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Pedro Pasculli (15 Jan 2005 – 27 Feb 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Agim Canaj (27 Feb 2005 – Jun 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Ramón Cabrero (Jul 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Luka Bonačić (Jul 2005 – 29 Aug 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Vasil Bici (29 Aug 2005 – 15 Nov 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Ivan Katalinić (15 Nov 2005 – 15 Feb 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Vasil Bici (15 Feb 2006 – 15 Mar 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Sulejman Demollari (15 Mar 2006 – 25 Mar 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Vasil Bici (25 Mar 2006 – Jun 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (Jul 2006 – 25 Oct 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Redi Jupi (25 Oct 2006 – Jun 2007)
- Template:Flagicon Agim Canaj (Jul 2007 – 24 Feb 2008)
- Template:Flagicon Ilir Daja (24 Feb 2008 – Jun 2008)
- Template:Flagicon Marcelo Javier Zuleta (July 2008)
- Template:Flagicon Zlatko Dalić (July 2008 – 6 Feb 2009)
- Template:Flagicon Shkëlqim Muça (06 Feb 2009 – May 2010)
- Template:Flagicon Luis Manuel Blanco (July 2010 – 31 Dec 2010)
- Template:Flagicon Ilir Daja (1 Jan 2011 – 7 Feb 2011)
- Template:Flagicon Artan Mërgjyshi (7 Feb 2011 – Jun 2011)
- Template:Flagicon Faruk Sejdini (Jul 2011 – 19 Nov 2011)
- Template:Flagicon Artan Mërgjyshi (19 Nov 2011 – Jun 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Eduard Zhupa (Jun 2012 - Oct 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Dritan Mehmeti (Oct 2012 - Jan 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Edmond Dalipi (Jan 2013 –May 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Dritan Mehmeti (Jul 2013 - Mar 2015)
- Template:Flagicon Igli Allmuça (Jun 2015 - Oct 2019)
- Template:Flagicon Mauro Manzoni (Oct 2019 - Nov 2019)
- Template:Flagicon Fabrizio Cammarata (Nov 2019– Dec 2020)
- Template:Flagicon Francesco Moriero (Jan 2021– Mar 2021 )
- Template:Flagicon Olsi Uku (Mar 2021– May 2021 )
- Template:Flagicon Bledi Shkëmbi (Jun 2021– Feb 2022)
- Template:Flagicon Bledar Devolli (Feb 2022– Mar 2022)
- Template:Flagicon Rodolfo Vanoli (Mar 2022– Apr 2022)
- Template:Flagicon Nevil Dede (Jun 2022– Feb 2023)
- Template:Flagicon Dritan Mehmeti (Feb 2023– Jul 2023)
- Template:Flagicon Luigi di Biagio (Aug 2023– Oct 2023)
- Template:Flagicon Dritan Mehmeti (Oct 2023– Aug 2024)
- Template:Flagicon Erjon Xhafa (Aug 2024– Sep 2024)
- Template:Flagicon Ilir Daja (Sep 2024– )
Managerial records
| Name | Kategoria Superiore | Albanian Cup | Supercup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Script error: No such module "Sort". | 6 | 5 | — | 11 |
| Template:Flagicon Script error: No such module "Sort". | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Template:Flagicon Script error: No such module "Sort". | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Template:Flagicon Script error: No such module "Sort". | 2 | — | — | 2 |
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| Template:Flagicon Script error: No such module "Sort". | 1 | — | — | 1 |
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| Template:Flagicon Script error: No such module "Sort". | – | 1 | — | 1 |
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External links
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- Dinamo Tirana at UEFA.com
- Dinamo Tirana Template:Webarchive at EUFO.de
- Dinamo Tirana at Football-Lineups.com
- Dinamo Tirana – Soccerpedia schedule
- Albania-sport.com (archived)
- Albanian Soccer News (archived)
- Shqiperia-Futboll (archived)
References
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Template:FC Dinamo City Template:Kategoria Superiore Template:Authority control