The foundational origins of the club are traced in 1904 when the team known as Málaga Football Club played the first matches in the city of Málaga. The rival club Football Club Malagueño, originated soon after, established a competition between both squads until it was decided that both should merge into a sole club, with the physical entity of FC Malagueño being used as basis due to having a wealthier economy and better players. In 12 April 1933, FC Malagueño was renamed to Club Deportivo Malacitano and, in 1934, made its debut in the second level, when the category was expanded from ten teams to twenty-four.