J.League 1 title contenders Sanfrecce Hiroshima have added more firepower to their attack with the signing of 2021/22 UEFA Europa League winner Goncalo Pacencia.
Pacencia joins Sanfrecce on a free transfer after ending his contract with Spanish top-flight side Celta Vigo and the Portuguese attacker was given the number 99 shirt.
“I am happy and motivated for this new challenge in my life,” said Pacencia, as quoted from Portugoal, “I will do my best with respect and professionalism as a member of Sanfrecce Hiroshima. I look forward to meeting all the fans and supporters and I can’t wait to wear the kit with the team’s emblem in the new stadium.”
Pacencia came to the Hiroshima Peace Wing with plenty of European experience underneath his belt. The son of former Portugal international Domingos Pacencia, he started his career at Portuguese giants FC Porto, before going out on a series of loan moves across Portugal to clubs such as Academica de Coimbra and Rio Ave, as well as spending a short stint in Greece with Olympiacos.
But it was at German side Eintracht Frankfurt where Paciencia really made a name for himself, winning the Europa League in the 2021/22 season despite being an unused substitute in a penalty shootout win over Glasgow Rangers.
Pacencia then moved to Spain with Celta and spent last season on loan at German side VfL Bochum.
““I will also fight and work hard for the team’s goals! This is where I wanted to come from the beginning, and I felt that this is a team where I can fight, just like what I have built in my career so far. I would like to thank Coach Michael Skibbe and Coach Sehat Oumar for leading me to this great club. I look forward to meeting my new teammates and staff,” added Pacencia.
Pacencia’s presence would undoubtly add more star power to a stacked Sanfrecce side locked in a tense title race with dark-horses Machida Zelvia. A hat-trick from former Melbourne City man Tolgay Arslan ensured Sanfrecce a tight 3-2 win over FC Tokyo over the weekend and with Machida only managing a 2-2 draw with mid-table Urawa Red Diamonds, the men from Hiroshima are currently leading the J1 by goal difference.