This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
He goes by Pecka or Wellington De Jorge Estanislau Paeckart. The 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder is reportedly to sign with Real Salt Lake. Liviu Bird of SI.com reported Wednesday that RSL has signed the central midfield staple. According to a league source, the paperwork on a contract with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers product has not been finalized.
Commonly known as Pecka with the Strikers, the Flamengo academy product has spent the last four seasons in the NASL with Fort Lauderdale. He played under RSL assistant coach Daryl Shore when Shore was the then-head coach of the Strikers. His versatility in the midfield could provide a boost with the recent departures of Ned Grabavoy and Sebastian Velasquez. Pecka's role with the Strikers has been predominately as a defensive midfielder. In 2014, he had two goals in 17 league appearances in 1,528 minutes played. After re-upping with Fort Lauderdale in 2014, he went on a quick subsequent loan in Brazil with Madureira Esparto Clube.
Nothing official is expected on the reported signing as the league office remains closed through the holiday break until Jan. 5, 2015. Here is a Q&A with Pecka on the Strikers' club site. Apparently the Brazilian likes to play video games and Samba dance. He also cheers for the Lakers and the Packers. So there's that.
The Major League Soccer offseason breaks for no one. Happy Holidays.
Real Salt Lake has signed Fort Lauderdale midfielder Wellington Pecka. He's a deep-lying playmaker type and Flamengo academy product.
— Liviu Bird (@liviubird) December 24, 2014
-Chris Kamrani
Twitter: @chriskamrani