The newly merged club took over FC Tarmo's place in the Kolmonen—the fourth tier of the Finnish soccer league system—in the Northern Finland group.

[5] In 2011, AC Kajaani finally won its long-awaited league title, earning promotion to the Kakkonen, in the Pohjoinen (Northern) group.

[1][6] In 2013, AC Kajaani endured a poor year in the Ykkönen, winning only three matches all season long, while earning a relegation back down to the Kakkonen.

A highlight from the 2016 season was AC Kajaani's deep run in the Suomen Cup, where they made it to the sixth round and hosted HJK, Finland's top football club, and took them to extra time, ultimately losing 5–1 in front of a club record 1,172 spectators.

In 2017, Kajaani won the league title for Group C and winning the promotion playoffs against KTP.

[3] In 2020, Kajaani planned for a large push to make it to the Veikkausliiga and spent €274,819 on player wages, second in the league.

Following the fall of the club, criticism was made of the club's attempts to buy a quick path to success by importing foreign players, as opposed to investing in building up local talent; only Tatu Hoffrén was from Kajaani.

[1][11][12][13] [6] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.