In 2008 Paykan was moved to Qazvin because the city of Tehran had many football teams with low attendance figures.

Although they finished in the top half of the table in 2009–10 season the club chairman decided to replace Hamid Derakhshan with Mohammad Ahmadzadeh as the head coach.

Paykan were relegated in 2010–2011, but the following year they earned their promotion back to the Iran Pro League for the 2012–2013 season.

Paykan moved back to Tehran and started playing in the newly renovated Takhti Stadium.

Paykan defeated Siah Jamegan 3–1 on aggregate and advanced to play Iran Pro League club Fajr Sepasi in a promotion play-off.

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