The club was founded in 1919 in Sušak, eastern part of the present day city of Rijeka, under the name Jugoslavenski Športski Klub Orient.

According to the legend, during his time on journey to the United States, one of the club's founders saw a ship named Orient in the New York Harbor.

Although Orijent spent most of its history in lower tiers of Yugoslav and Croatian football, it was and still is popular among Sušak's population.

The club's greatest success came in 1969 when they were the champions of Yugoslav Second League's Division West but were unable to win promotion through playoff.

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