Zimbru Chişinău was formed after World War II in the Moldovan Soviet Republic (present day Republic of Moldova). 'Zimbru' is a Romanian word for a form of European bison, but the club also previously functioned under names such as Dynamo, Burevestnik, Moldova, Avântul, and Nistru. The Soviet Era was spent mostly in Class B of the regional league until eventual promotion to Class A. The club then flitted between Class A and Class B as well as spending time in the Soviet Top League and First League. Zimbru had their biggest success in 1963 when they reached the quarter-finals of the Soviet Cup.
The fortunes of FC Zimbru changed after the fall of the USSR and the establishment of the Republic of Moldova. The club has won the Divizia Naţională eight times in total with five consecutive victories from 1992-1996. They also won the Moldovan Cup five times. FC Zimbru have participated in the UEFA Cup (losing to Sparta Prague) and the Champions League (losing to PSV Eindhoven in 1999 and Sparta Prague in 2000). FC Zimbru's biggest rivalry is with FC Sheriff of Tiraspol. Unfortunately for FC Zimbru, FC Sheriff have taken the trophy back to Tiraspol each year since 2001. Regardless, FC Zimbru Chişinău is a club with pride in its history, as manifested by a Museum and a Hotel in their honour.
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