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Real Salt Lake Signs Brazilian Midfielder "Pecka"

January 16, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Friday, January 16, 2015) - Real Salt Lake announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Wellington "Pecka" Paeckart. Per league and club policy, further terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

"Pecka is a very solid midfield presence. He is athletic, ultra-competitive and clean on the ball. He does a great job in the holding midfield role of breaking up passing lanes and finding options to connect the game," RSL Technical Director Craig Waibel said. "I'm excited to bring him in. He gives us some depth for when Kyle Beckerman is gone on international duty and he's also a guy who can push at a couple other positions. He's also another guy who can be here a while and be effective for a long time."

Pecka played the last four seasons with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League, including three under current RSL Assistant Coach Daryl Shore. In the 2014 season, he scored two goals in 17 appearances for the Strikers, giving him 55 career games played for the second-division side. In the 2014 NASL Playoffs, he scored the winning penalty in a shootout victory over Minnesota United in the tournament semifinals, sending the Strikers to the 2014 NASL Soccer Bowl.

Pecka, 25, began his professional career in 2009 with Flamengo in Brazil and also spent time on loan to PFZ do Rio before moving to the Strikers in 2011. His time with Fort Lauderdale also included a brief loan stint with Madureira Esporte Clube in Brazil in 2014.

He will join Real Salt Lake this week prior to the start of training camp. RSL will train in Casa Grande, Ariz., Irvine, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz., during the build up to the regular season opener on March 7 against the Portland Timbers. The home opener comes March 14 against the Philadelphia Union at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Player: Wellington "Pecka" Paeckart

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-foot-6

Weight: 152 lbs.

Date of Birth: May 2, 1989

Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Citizenship: Brazil

Previous Club: Fort Lauderdale Strikers

How acquired: Signed to a contract on Jan. 16, 2014.

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