Deportivo Rayo Zuliano

Deportivo Rayo Zuliano is a Venezuelan professional football club based in Maracaibo. Founded in 2005, the club play in the Venezuelan Primera División, hosting their home matches at the Estadio José Pachencho Romero.

History
Founded in 2005, Deportivo Rayo Zuliano played in the 2005–06 edition of the Torneo Aspirantes de Venezuela, the third division in the country, before spending a year inactive. The club later entered the inaugural season of the Venezuelan Tercera División, narrowly missing out on promotion to Segunda División B in 2007–08 and then achieving mid-table campaigns in 2008–09 and 2009–10.

In 2010, Rayo Zuliano ceased to play in the Tercera División, and only returned to a professional status in 2021, after merging with Club Atlético Furrial and being admitted in the year's Segunda División. After an eighth position finish in their group in 2021, the club led their group in 2022, but were knocked out in the promotion phase.

On 12 December 2022, it was announced that Rayo Zuliano would merge with Primera División side Zulia, taking their place in the top tier. The merger was officially confirmed on 28 January 2023. Rayo Zuliano were able to place eighth in their first Primera División campaign, which allowed them to qualify for the 2024 Copa Sudamericana.

Managers

 * 🇨🇴 Alex García King (2021–22)
 * 🇻🇪 Elvis Martínez (2023–present)