Adding experience and strengthening its defense, North Carolina FC has signed Brazilian midfielder Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart ahead of the 2020 USL Championship season, the club announced on Tuesday. The transaction is pending league and federation approval and receipt of a P1 visa.



Pecka, 30, comes to NCFC with a vast amount of American soccer experience and most recently spent three seasons with San Antonio FC, where he served as captain in 2019.



The former Brazil U-18 international began his professional career at Brazilian megaclub Flamengo FC in 2009 and also played for CFZ de Rio before joining the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 2011, where he played until 2014. Before joining San Antonio FC, Pecka played in Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake and also appeared for Real Monarchs and Rayo OKC.



“We were looking to bring in a veteran who can play in the midfield with a good soccer IQ and the ability to break up plays,” NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan said. “Pecka has a tremendous background in those categories, and he was also a captain in San Antonio. He’s very familiar with USL and the kind of soccer we want to play.”



In 2019, Pecka played in 22 league matches for SAFC, starting 21 times and seeing the field for 1,790 minutes. Known for his defensive abilities, Pecka logged 27 interceptions and won 28 tackles and 136 aerial duels. The Rio de Janeiro native also proved himself as a threat offensively, chipping in two goals and three assists, both regular-season career highs. Additionally, his 88.8% passing accuracy was the third-highest on SAFC.



Across all competitions, Pecka appeared in 71 matches for SAFC for 5,653 minutes from 2017-19, recording three goals and four assists.



Familiar with NCFC, Pecka has been a frequent visitor of Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park with Fort Lauderdale and Rayo OKC. In four seasons with Fort Lauderdale, Pecka made 60 appearances, 52 starts and recorded three goals and an assist.



In 2015, Pecka saw action at both the MLS and USL Championship levels, as he made four appearances for Real Salt Lake and six with Real Monarchs. In 2016, he played 1,046 minutes over the course of 20 matches in his lone season with Rayo OKC.



Pecka joins Steven Miller, Ben Speas, Nazmi Albadawi, Sam Brotherton, Alex Comsia, Caleb Duvernay, Robert Kristo, Graham Smith and Conor Donovan on the list of those confirmed for the 2020 season, as NCFC continues to negotiate with additional players.



Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s 2020 season are on sale now. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.