Pafos F.C. () is a
Cypriot professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
club based in
Paphos
Paphos, also spelled as Pafos, is a coastal city in southwest Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In classical antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: #Old Paphos, Old Paphos, today known as Kouklia, and #New Paphos, New Paphos. It i ...
. It was established in 2014 following the merger of two local clubs,
AEP Paphos
AEP Paphos (, ''Athlitiki Enosi Pafos''; "Athletic Union Paphos") was a Cypriot football club based in Paphos. The club was formed in 2000 after the merger of the two clubs of Paphos, APOP and Evagoras. AEP Paphos was dissolved on 9 June 2014, i ...
and
AEK Kouklia, with the aim of creating a stronger and more competitive team to represent the Paphos region in the top tier of Cypriot football.
The club plays its home matches at the
Stelios Kyriakides Stadium
The Stelios Kyriakides Stadium (previous Pafiako Stadium) () is a multi-use stadium in Paphos, the stadium holds 9,394 people. It has a full size running track around the outside of its football and rugby playing field and is used for many athlet ...
, a venue with a capacity of approximately 9,000 spectators. Pafos FC currently competes in the
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot First Division (), also known as the Cyprus League by Stoiximan for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Cyprus and the highest level of the Cypriot football league system. Operated by the Cyprus Fo ...
. In recent seasons, the club has attracted several international players and coaching staff.
In 2024, Pafos FC qualified for the
UEFA Europa Conference League
The UEFA Conference League (UECL), usually known simply as the Conference League, is an annual association football, football competition organised since 2021 by the UEFA, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for eligible European foot ...
for the first time in its history, marking its debut in European competition.
History
Early years (2014–2017)
Pafos FC was formed by a merger between the strongest football forces of the province of
Paphos
Paphos, also spelled as Pafos, is a coastal city in southwest Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In classical antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: #Old Paphos, Old Paphos, today known as Kouklia, and #New Paphos, New Paphos. It i ...
. The club's emblem includes the name of the club and town, and features the figure of Cypriot revolutionary
Evagoras Pallikarides. The shape and colours of the emblem (white, blue, and gold) refer to the historical clubs of APOP and AEK Kouklia. The emblem was renewed in the 2018–19 season, making the figure of Pallikarides more visible.
On 10 June 2014, the historic building of
AEP Paphos FC
AEP Paphos (, ''Athlitiki Enosi Pafos''; "Athletic Union Paphos") was a Cypriot football club based in Paphos. The club was formed in 2000 after the merger of the two clubs of Paphos, APOP and Evagoras. AEP Paphos was dissolved on 9 June 2014, ...
hosted the first gathering for the supporters of the merged team, in the presence of politicians, active and veteran football players of Paphos, and hundreds of fans. The first president of the team was Christakis Kaizer, who was previously the president of AEK Kouklia and one of the main people in the effort to create the new team together with the then six-member managing committee of AEP.
As an official home stadium for its obligations in the championship of the first division, the team uses
Stelios Kyriakides Stadium
The Stelios Kyriakides Stadium (previous Pafiako Stadium) () is a multi-use stadium in Paphos, the stadium holds 9,394 people. It has a full size running track around the outside of its football and rugby playing field and is used for many athlet ...
(Paphiako Stadium).
The purpose of the club is to promote noble rivalry, "fair play" and culture both through sports activities and through numerous cultural and educational events, and visits to schools, and educational institutions in Paphos. The team has projected a picture of renewal and full professionalism in all departments and levels. An important event is the complete renovation of the training center to the standards of European clubs.
The team's first coach was
Radmilo Ivančević
Radmilo Ivančević ( sr-cyr, Радмило Иванчевић; born 4 September 1950) is a Serbian football manager and former footballer.
Coaching career
Ivančević's career began in 1983 as manager of Serbian amateur club Šumadija Aranđ ...
, who had served as AEP Paphos's coach in the past.
Pafos FC competed in the 2014–15
Cypriot Second Division
The Cypriot Second Division () is the second highest association football, football division of the Cypriot football league system.
Administered by the Cyprus Football Association, it is contested by 16 teams, with the top three teams being Prom ...
, in their first season as a club. The first match in the club's history was against
Enosis Neon Paralimni
Enosis Neon Paralimni Football Club (, ''Enosi Neon Paralimniou''; ), commonly referred to as ENP, is a Cypriot football team from Paralimni. Currently playing in the first division, it holds home games at the Paralimni Municipal Stadium "Ta ...
, at the Municipal Stadium of Geroskipou which was the first home stadium of the team. The team finished in second place and was promoted to the first division. In the 2015–16 season, in the first participation of Pafos FC in the first division, the team finished in 12th place and was relegated. Their first victory and the team's first overall victory in the first division came on 12 September 2015 in the third game of the league when Pafos FC defeated
Aris Limassol
Aris Limassol (Greek: ''Άρης Λεμεσού'') is a professional Cypriot football club based in Limassol and one of the founder members of Cyprus Football Association. The club's colours are green, black and white, and their home is the A ...
3–0 at home. The team finished 2nd in the Second Division and was promoted to the First Division in the 2016–17 season.
Dubov Era (since 2017)
The following season, Pafos FC remained in the top division, finishing in 10th place under the leadership of their new owner, Total Sports Investments, managed by British businessman Roman Dubov. Changes in the club's structure, the academy's operational processes, renovation of the Pafos FC Training Center along with resounding transfers significantly raised the level of the club which now appears to be one of the most modern and well-equipped teams in Cyprus.

Since Dubov's arrival, the team's placement in the league has improved or remained constant every year, from 2018 until 2023. On 25 February 2022, a new attendance record was set for Pafos FC, as over 4661 fans came to support the club in a 1–1 home draw against
Aris Limassol
Aris Limassol (Greek: ''Άρης Λεμεσού'') is a professional Cypriot football club based in Limassol and one of the founder members of Cyprus Football Association. The club's colours are green, black and white, and their home is the A ...
, which secured a place in the championship playoffs for the first time in the club's history. Pafos FC players were the
top goalscorers of the Cypriot First Division in the 2018–19, 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons.
On 24 June 2023,
Juan Carlos Carcedo
Juan Carlos Carcedo Mardones (; born 19 August 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, currently manager of Cypriot First Division club Pafos FC.
He amassed Segunda División totals of 134 matches and four ...
was announced as the new Head Coach of Pafos.
In May 2024, Pafos won the
Cypriot Cup
The Cypriot Cup, formally known as the Cypriot Coca-Cola Cup of First and Second Division () for sponsorship purposes, is a Cypriot knockout football club competition, hosted annually by the Cyprus Football Association.
First held in 1934, it i ...
, marking the club's first major honour.
2024–25 season
The 2024–25 season was a landmark campaign for Pafos FC, highlighted by their first-ever appearance in European competition. After securing the Cypriot Cup title in the 2023–24 season—an historic first for the club—Pafos qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League, entering the tournament in the second qualifying round and winning their first league title.
Pafos FC made their debut in the
UEFA Europa Conference League
The UEFA Conference League (UECL), usually known simply as the Conference League, is an annual association football, football competition organised since 2021 by the UEFA, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for eligible European foot ...
during the 2024–25 season. The club entered the competition in the second qualifying round and secured a 4–2 aggregate victory over Lithuanian champions
FK Žalgiris
Futbolo klubas Žalgiris, commonly known as FK Žalgiris, Žalgiris Vilnius or simply Žalgiris, is a Lithuanian professional association football, football club based in Vilnius. The club competes in the A Lyga, the top flight of Football in L ...
, including an impressive 3–0 win at home.
In the first-ever meeting between two Cypriot sides in major European competitions, Pafos FC beat
AC Omonia
Athletic Club Omonia Nicosia (; ''Athlitikós Sýllogos Omónoia Lefkosías''), commonly known as Omonia Nicosia, or simply Omonia (also Romanization of Greek, transliterated as Omonoia), is a Cyprus, Cypriot professional multi-sport club, esta ...
3–2 on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the
2024-25 UEFA Conference League.
Pafos finished their Conference League performance of season 2024/25 with an average passing accuracy of 84.2%.
The team’s structured play and tactical discipline earned them praise domestically and abroad.
In the meantime, in the
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot First Division (), also known as the Cyprus League by Stoiximan for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Cyprus and the highest level of the Cypriot football league system. Operated by the Cyprus Fo ...
, Pafos continued to build on their momentum. With strong leadership from head coach
Juan Carlos Carcedo
Juan Carlos Carcedo Mardones (; born 19 August 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, currently manager of Cypriot First Division club Pafos FC.
He amassed Segunda División totals of 134 matches and four ...
, the team remained in contention for a top-three finish throughout the season, with a goal to return to European competition again in 2025–26, which was successful as they won their first ever league title and will qualify to the
Champions League for the first time in their history.
Honours
European history
;Notes
* 1Q: First qualifying round
* 2Q: Second qualifying round
* 3Q: Third qualifying round
* PO: Play-off round
* LP: League Phase
* KPO: Knockout phase play-offs
* R16: Round of 16
Domestic history
Club's identity
The logo of Pafos FC is a variation of
AEP Paphos
AEP Paphos (, ''Athlitiki Enosi Pafos''; "Athletic Union Paphos") was a Cypriot football club based in Paphos. The club was formed in 2000 after the merger of the two clubs of Paphos, APOP and Evagoras. AEP Paphos was dissolved on 9 June 2014, i ...
's logo and a refresh of Pafos FC's first logo, including the name of the team and town and the classic figure of the Cypriot hero
Evagoras Pallikaridis. The logo also includes the team's colours, blue, white, and gold. The emblem was renewed during the period 2018–19, making the depiction of the hero Evagoras Pallikarides more prominent.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
From 2019 to 2023, Pafos FC's kits were manufactured by Jako, marking a period of steady branding and visual identity as the club continued to grow its presence in Cypriot football.
Starting with the 2023–24 season, Pafos FC transitioned to Puma, both for the Main Team and for Academy, as their official kit supplier, aligning the club with a globally recognized sportswear brand. The move was seen as a step toward strengthening the club’s commercial profile and aligning with more prominent European football standards. Despite the change in kit manufacturer, the club retained its core sponsors — Korantina Homes, LF Group, and Cablenet — demonstrating ongoing commercial stability and sustained backing from key partners.
Players
Out on loan
Current staff
Records
Most appearances
Top goalscorers
Managers
References
External links
*
*
{{Cypriot First Division
Football clubs in Cyprus
Association football clubs established in 2014
2014 establishments in Cyprus
Football clubs in Paphos