Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, also known as Universidad Católica del Ecuador, is an Ecuadorian football club based in Quito. They play in the top tier of Ecuadorian football and have spent the majority of their history in the top-flight Serie A.
Universidad Católica was officially founded on 15 May 1963. Historic rivals include LDU Quito, Aucas, El Nacional and Deportivo Quito.
History
Universidad Católica was founded as a university football team for Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, a Catholic university in Quito. In 1962, they won the inter-university championship. Soon after, they became a football club on 15 May 1963 under Liga Deportiva de la Universidad Católica.Mero Bailón, S. L. (2023). Satisfacción laboral: caso de estudio Sistema Integrado de Seguridad ECU 911 – Esmeraldas. PUCE - Esmeraldas.
On 15 January 1965, they beat Club Gladiador for the right to compete professionally. They then won their first professional title at the 12th Interandean Professional Championship that same year.
In 1973 and 1979, Universidad Católica finished second in the national championship. As a result, they were allowed to participate in the Copa Libertadores the following years (1974 and 1980). They spent most of their history in the First Category (Primera A & Primera B). They descended to the Second Category in 1993. They returned to Primera B in 1998, and ascended briefly to Primera A for 2008.
Honours National Copa Ecuador Winners (1): 2025 Serie B Winners (3): 1990 E1, 2007, 2012 Segunda Categoría Winners (1): 1998
Regional Campeonato Amateur de Pichincha Winners (1): 1965 Campeonato Professional Interandino Winners (1): 1965 Segunda Categoría de Pichincha Winners (3): 1968, 1996, 1998
Current squad As of 10 April 2026.
Notable players World Cup players The following players were chosen to represent their country at the FIFA World Cup while contracted to Universidad Católica.
José Fajardo (2026) Azarias Londoño (2026)
Managers Jorge Célico (21 September 2010 – 5 August 2014) Luis Soler (5 August 2014 – 5 October 2014) Jorge Célico (5 October 2014 – 17 July 2017) Patricio Lara (17 July 2017 – 24 July 2017) Gustavo Díaz (25 July 2017 – 26 August 2017) Marcelo Romano (27 August 2017 – 4 November 2017) Santiago Escobar (4 November 2017 – 25 October 2021) Miguel Rondelli (26 October 2021 – 31 December 2023)
Kit and colours They wear sky blue on their home kit and white on their away kit. Their kit is supplied by Umbro.
References
External links Official website Club Deportivo de la Universidad Católica at FEF Club Deportivo de la Universidad Católica at FIFA
Club Deportivo de la Universidad Católica at YouTube