FK Atlantas is a Lithuanian football team from the port city ofKlaipėda. The team currently plays in A Lyga, the first level of the Lithuanian football league pyramid. The club's name has changed several times. It was established in 1962 as Granitas, and became PSK Aras in 1993. Since 1996, when FK Sirijus Klaipėda was absorbed into the club, it has had the name Atlantas, which in Lithuanian language means Atlantic Ocean. Atlantas were Lithuanian champions in 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1984.
History
Modern Atlantas was founded in 1996. In Soviet occupation period in Klaipėda City was team known as Granitas and Atlantas from 1970 was farm club of Granitas. Atlantas name was used in Lithuanian championship and Granitas in Soviet Union Championship. In Lihuanian independence period from 1990 Granitas and Atlantas tradition was lost, but in 1996 refounded team and named Atlantas. This team soon became a strongest football team in Klaipėda. Played in top division long time. In summer 2018, the club had financial problems, because account`s in banks were suspended. After that, some players ran away from the club. Club owners thought about all chances to save club from dissvolvement. In the first half of the 2018 A Lyga, the club was in 4th position and after the summer they didn't win any games in the championship and lost their position. But after 28 rounds, they were in 6th position and could play in final stage of the championship. 29th round was a lost to FC Stumbras 0-6. In January 2019, about the club situation known, that they lost sponsorship from business and Klaipėda city municipality and that means, that the club soon can defunct. In February 2019, the club changed owners. The new chief is Vidas Adomaitis. On 5 December 2019, the Lithuanian Football Federation announce that two A Lyga clubs, FK Atlantas and FK Palanga have been excluded from the A Lyga due to manipulation of the match results, fined 30,000 euros and relegated to II Lyga. Five players were punished with fines and a ban from all football activity ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Central Stadium of Klaipėda is a multi-purpose stadium in Klaipėda, Lithuania. It is currently used mostly for football matches by FK Atlantas competing in A Lyga. In the past the stadium had a capacity of 9,000 and now holds only 5,000. Sometimes plays in alternative stadium Klaipėdos miesto centrinio stadiono dirbtinės dangos aikštė. That is artificial pavement ground nearby Central Stadium.
Supporters
FK Atlantas supporters are called Vakarų Frontas. FK Atlantas supporters maintain friendly relations with fans of Žalgiris Vilnius.
Crest and colours
The crest features a yellow seahorse with a football on the background. In the middle of the crest there is a white text saying Atlantas at the top and Klaipėda in smaller text under it. The logo contained some white. Since the beginning, the club has used the colors yellow and blue on their kits.
Kit manufacturers
2013–2016 Jako
2017–2018 Puma
2018–present Adidas
Season-by-season
; Lithuania
Current squad
Notable and famous players
FK Atlantas players who have either appeared for their respective national team at any time or received an individual award while at the club. ;Lithuania
Vidas Adomaitis
Viktors Dobrecovs