Football Club de Nantes (Breton: Naoned; Gallo: Naunnt) often called FC Nantes or simply Nantes is a French professional soccer club located within Nantes located in Pays de la Loire. The club was established on April 21, 1943 at the time of World War II, as the result of local clubs located in the city joining forces to form a larger club. From 1992 until 2007 the club was known by the name of FC Nantes Atlantique before reverting to its current name at beginning of the 2007-08 season. Nantes participate in Ligue 1, the first division of Football in France. Nantes is among the most successful teams in French football with 8 Ligue 1 titles, four Coupe de France wins and won just one Coupe de la Ligue victory.
The club is well-known for its game a the nantaise ("Nantes-style game") and its spirit of community, which was primarily promoted by coach Jose Arribas, Jean-Claude Suaudeau and Raynald Denoueix. It is also known for its youth program which has produced players like Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps, Mickael Landreau, Claude Makelele, Christian Karembeu and Jeremy Toulalan. Alongside Les Canaris (The Canaries), Nantes is also nicknamed Les jaunes and verts (The greens and the Yellows) as well as La Maison Jaune (The Yellow House).
