HNK Rijeka, abbreviated as "Rijeka", was founded in 1925 and is a professional football club located in Rijeka, Croatia.
The team initially competed in Serie A and Serie B under the name "Fiumana Sports Union". After World War II, with changes in the city's affiliation, the club was renamed several times to Kvarner and Rijeka, gradually becoming an important force in Yugoslav football. The late 1970s marked a golden period, winning the Yugoslav Cup for two consecutive years and lifting the Balkan Cup in 1978.
As a founding member of the Croatian First Football League, Rijeka has always maintained a strong competitive edge. The team has created many classic moments at the Kantrida Stadium by the Adriatic Sea, including the glorious achievements of defeating European giants like Real Madrid and Juventus in the 1980s. Entering the 21st century, they won the Croatian Cup twice in 2005 and 2006, claimed their first league title in 2017, and topped the league again in 2025. This storied coastal team has written its own legendary chapter in the history of Croatian football with its unique style and resilient spirit. In early 2025, the team welcomed new signing Maier Škorić, continuing to write new football stories.