Founded on 25 December 1951, as a FC Porto subsidiary,[1] 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) presenterJorge Gabriel for a few months during that timeframe.[2]
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.[3][4] Subsequently, the Arouca Municipality awarded the club the Medal of Gold Merit for its achievement,[5] with the organization also being granted extra financial means to renovate and expand its stadium.[6]
In 2015–16 under Lito Vidigal, Arouca finished a best-ever fifth place, qualifying for the first time to the UEFA Europa League.[7] 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.[8] A year after their peak finish, Arouca were relegated, ending their four years at the top.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11]
Players
Current squad
As of 31 January 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^"História" [History] (in Portuguese). Arouca's official website. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
^Jorge Gabriel não esquece passagem por Arouca (Jorge Gabriel does not forget time in Arouca); Metro News, 17 June 2008 (in Portuguese)
^Vitor Oliveira: o especialista das subidas (Vitor Oliveira: the promotion specialist) Archived 2014-08-08 at the Wayback Machine; Record, 12 May 2013 (in Portuguese)
^"Arouca sobe à I Liga pela primeira vez na sua história" [Arouca rises to the I League for the first time in their history]. Público (in Portuguese). 12 May 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
^Câmara de Arouca atribui medalha de mérito ao clube (Arouca City Hall gives medal of merit to club) Archived 2013-06-10 at the Wayback Machine; Record, 4 June 2013 (in Portuguese)
^Arouca: estádio renovado em contrarrelógio (Arouca: renovated stadium against the clock) Archived 2014-08-12 at the Wayback Machine; Mais Futebol, 18 May 2013 (in Portuguese)
^"Académica desce à II Liga, Arouca conquista Liga Europa" [Académica go down to II Liga, Arouca conquer Europa League]. Público (in Portuguese). 7 May 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
^"Chori saves Olympiacos". Agona Sport. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
^"Arouca perde no Estoril e desce à segunda divisão" [Arouca lose in Estoril and go down to second division] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
^"Arouca perde em Oliveira de Azeméis e desce ao Campeonato de Portugal" [Arouca lose in Oliveira de Azeméis and go down to Campeonato de Portugal]. Observador (in Portuguese). 19 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
^"Tribunal Arbitral do Desporto suspende subidas de Vizela e Arouca à II Liga" [Court of Arbitration for Sport suspends Vizela and Arouca's promotions to II Liga]. Público (in Portuguese). 28 July 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.