Cary, NC (February 10, 2021)- International players Pecka and Malick Mbaye have signed contracts and will return to North Carolina FC for the 2021 season pending league and federation approval. The two players join Nazmi Albadawi and Josh Coan as NCFC builds out the 2021 roster following the move to USL League One.
Brazilian midfielder Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart stood out as a leader as he commanded the midfield for NCFC in 2020. He played in 14 of the 15 games during the season and started 13 of those matches. Pecka led the team in assists, passing accuracy, and long pass success rate.
“I’m thrilled that Pecka will be returning to North Carolina FC for 2021,” said NCFC head coach John Bradford. “He is a true professional who brings a wealth of experience to the club, as well as a tremendously competitive mindset. He will be a key player in our system, as well as a great leader to our younger players.”
Prior to joining NCFC in 2020, Pecka played for San Antonio FC for three seasons, one in which he was the team captain. He played 71 matches in total for 5,653 minutes with SAFC. Pecka has also played for Fort Lauderdale, Rayo OKC, Real Salt Lake, and Real Monarchs throughout his soccer career.
Mbaye enters his second season as a professional following a rookie season where he made his first appearance with NCFC against the Charlotte Independence on September 5, 2020. Before coming to NCFC, Mbaye was selected in the second round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft with the No. 33 pick by Toronto FC. The Dakar, Senegal native had a stellar collegiate career at Clemson University where he was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. The defender has leadership experience as he captained the Clemson team the same year he won the prestigious award.
“It’s great to bring back a talented, young player like Malick to North Carolina FC,” said Bradford. “As a young man who’s still very early in his professional career, Malick has a drive and desire to develop that will be great to have in our group. He will play a massive role in our backline and establishing how we want to compete on both sides of the ball.”
Cary, NC (February 10, 2021)- International players Pecka and Malick Mbaye have signed contracts and will return to North Carolina FC for the 2021 season pending league and federation approval. The two players join Nazmi Albadawi and Josh Coan as NCFC builds out the 2021 roster following the move to USL League One.
Brazilian midfielder Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart stood out as a leader as he commanded the midfield for NCFC in 2020. He played in 14 of the 15 games during the season and started 13 of those matches. Pecka led the team in assists, passing accuracy, and long pass success rate.
“I’m thrilled that Pecka will be returning to North Carolina FC for 2021,” said NCFC head coach John Bradford. “He is a true professional who brings a wealth of experience to the club, as well as a tremendously competitive mindset. He will be a key player in our system, as well as a great leader to our younger players.”
Prior to joining NCFC in 2020, Pecka played for San Antonio FC for three seasons, one in which he was the team captain. He played 71 matches in total for 5,653 minutes with SAFC. Pecka has also played for Fort Lauderdale, Rayo OKC, Real Salt Lake, and Real Monarchs throughout his soccer career.
Mbaye enters his second season as a professional following a rookie season where he made his first appearance with NCFC against the Charlotte Independence on September 5, 2020. Before coming to NCFC, Mbaye was selected in the second round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft with the No. 33 pick by Toronto FC. The Dakar, Senegal native had a stellar collegiate career at Clemson University where he was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. The defender has leadership experience as he captained the Clemson team the same year he won the prestigious award.
“It’s great to bring back a talented, young player like Malick to North Carolina FC,” said Bradford. “As a young man who’s still very early in his professional career, Malick has a drive and desire to develop that will be great to have in our group. He will play a massive role in our backline and establishing how we want to compete on both sides of the ball.”
