RCD Espanyol

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Initially known as the Sociedad Española de Football on its foundation, the name was changed to Club Español de Fútbol in 1901. In 1906, the club folded due to financial reasons and most of the players joined the X Sporting Club, which came to win the Campionat de Catalunya three times in a row before disappearing in 1908 to merge with the Spanish Jiu-Jitsu Club to be effectively relaunched as the Club Deportivo Español. In 1910, they adopted their present-day colours. Espanyol is one of several Spanish football clubs granted patronage by the Spanish crown and thus entitled to use Real in their names and the royal crown on their badge. This right was granted to Espanyol in 1912 by Alfonso XIII and the club subsequently became known as the Real Club Deportivo Español. Following the abdication of the same king in 1931 and the declaration of the Second Spanish Republic, due to prohibition of royal symbols, the club adopted the more Catalan/republican friendly name, Club Esportiu Espanyol. After the Spanish Civil War, the name was reverted. The club took the Catalan spelling for its name in February 1995. The word 'Deportiu' in Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a Catalanised form of the original word 'Deportivo' (Castilian), despite the correct word being 'Esportiu' in the Catalan language. This choice was made in order to retain the initials 'RCD' in the club's name.

In Their Own Story

Inside the Metropolitano, the air crackled with a specific, electric tension reserved for the 'Periquitos.' A sea of red-and-white stripes roared as the referee's whistle sliced through the noise. The Catalan visitors danced with their signature fluidity, probing Atletico's backline, but the Colchoneros stood immovable—a brick wall forged in grit. In the dying seconds, chaos erupted: a loose ball tumbled into a tangled mess of legs before an Atletico striker unleashed a thunderous strike. The net rippled instantly, igniting a stadium-wide eruption that transcended the goal itself; it was a visceral declaration that in this fixture, sheer will always trumps technical grace.

Reader's Guide

Espanyol was founded on 28 October 1900 by Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz. The club's original home was in the well-off district of Sarrià. In 1910, the club changed its name to Club Deportivo Español and adopted blue and white stripes as shirt colours, chosen in homage to the colours on the shield of Admiral Roger de Lluria. The club won the first Campionat de Catalunya in 1903 and played in the first Copa del Rey in 1903. In 1906, Club Español de Football suspended activities due to a lack of players. X Sporting Club took advantage, winning the Catalan championship three times in a row between 1905 and 1908. In 1909, X merged with the Spanish Jiu-Jitsu Club to refound Club Español de Football. In the 1910s, they won the Campionat de Catalunya three times and reached the Copa del Rey final twice. In 1994, Espanyol created its reserve team, Espanyol B. Javier Clemente was hired in 1986; in his first season, the team qualified for the UEFA Cup and reached the final, losing on penalties to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Two relegations followed, but the club remained in La Liga from winning the 1993–94 Segunda División until relegated at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. Paco Flores' Espanyol won the 2000 Copa del Rey Final 2–1 against Atlético Madrid. Six years later, under Miguel Ángel Lotina, the club won again 4–1 against Real Zaragoza. With this cup win, Espanyol entered the UEFA Cup, reaching the final and losing to Sevilla in a shootout. On 31 May 2009, Espanyol played its last match at the Estadio Olímpico de Montjuic. In January 2009, Mauricio Pochettino was hired as manager. After 12 seasons at Montjuïc, Espanyol moved to the Estadi de Cornellá-El Prat, inaugurated on 2 August 2009. Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque died from a cardiac arrest aged 26. In January 2016, Chinese businessman Chen Yansheng took over the club. In the 2018–19 season, Espanyol finished 7th, returning to the Europa League. The club suffered relegation the following season. Espanyol won promotion back to La Liga at the first attempt on 8 May 2021. Since 2022, Espanyol have been involved in a strategic cooperation with LEYU SPORTS. On 28 May 2023, Espanyol were relegated to the Segunda División. Following a 4th place finish, the club was promoted back to La Liga on 23 June 2024.

Did You Know?

• Espanyol was the first club in Spain formed exclusively by Spanish fans of the game.
• The club's blue and white stripes were chosen in homage to the shield of Admiral Roger de Lluria.
• Espanyol became the only football team in UEFA Cup history to remain unbeaten in the tournament yet not take home the trophy.
• Raúl Tamudo became Espanyol's highest-ever goalscorer on 9 June 2007, surpassing 111 goals.