The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have announced the re-signing of Brazilian midfielder Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart for the 2013 season with a club option for 2014. Pecka appeared in 24 games for the Strikers in 2012, starting 18 and scoring one goal.

“We are excited to have Pecka back for 2013,” said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. “He was a solid player for us this season and we believe having Pecka back will help to keep our core strong as we build and add to our group for next year.”

Pecka, 23, had a breakout season in 2012. While alternating between starting and coming off the bench early in the season, by the end of the Strikers’ campaign he was a fixture in the starting eleven and was counted on to fill the role of defensive midfielder so important in head coach Daryl Shore’s system.

In 2012, Pecka was third among field players with 24 games played and seventh on the Strikers in total minutes with 1,576.

Pecka joined the Strikers as the last signing of the 2011 season on Aug. 22, 2011. He made four starts and eight total appearances for the Strikers last season, contributing one assist.

In his native Brazil, Pecka started his youth career in the academy of one of Brazil's most storied clubs, Flamengo. Without making a first team appearance for the club, he was loaned to Centro de Futebol Zico Sociedade Esportiva.

In 2006, Pecka was selected to represent the U-18 Brazilian national team at the Sendai Cup International Youth Tournament in Japan.