Esteghlal F.C.

Esteghlal F.C.

Esteghlal Tehran Football Club (باشگاه فوتبال استقلال تهران) which means 'Independence' in Persian, is an Iranian professional Football Club Based in Tehran, That Plays in The Iran Pro League. Founded in 1945 as Docharkhe savaran (دوچرخه سواران) meaning 'The Cyclists' in Persian. In 1949, the club first changed its name to Taj (تاج), which means 'Crown' in Persian; a name which quickly became a football powerhouse. They again modified their name to the current Esteghlal (Persian: Esteghlal‎) meaning 'Independence', after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Great Esteghlal, because his former name (Crown), has always been oppressed. The club spent the 1993–94 season in Division 3, however has mostly been in the highest level of Iranian football (known as the IPL). In 1970, under the management of Zdravko Rajkov, Esteghlal Tehran was the first Iranian football club to win the Asian Cup.

They have won overall fifteen official titles at the national and international stage since 1970, including seven Iranian League (1st tier) titles and a record 6 Hazfi Cups, with two titles in Asian Cup (in 1970 and 1991), so there are two golden stars above the team badge.

Esteghlal is one of the most popular football clubs in Asian football and they are also have been the most successful Iranian club in Asia and one of the most successful football clubs in Iran.