Fernando “Zeba” Pacheco is Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s new player

Fernando Pacheco Finho, “Zeba”, becomes the red-and-whites’ second signing after Ángel Pérez de Inestrosa.

Zeba Pacheco is a 33-year-old Brazilian left-back (25/05/1983), with extensive experience at the highest level of world handball. He joins from Fraikin BM Granollers, where he played the second half of last season and competed in the EHF Cup Final Four. Before that, his club career had been spent entirely at Brazil’s top clubs: Taubaté, Sao Caetano and Pinheiros

A club champion in the Paulista and Brazilian tournaments, he has been a mainstay of the Brazilian national team. Until the most recent Pan American Championship, for which he was not selected, he had played countless matches in Pan American Championships and World Championships, becoming Pan American champion in 2007 and 2015. He was also captain of the Carioca national side, highlighting his leadership qualities in the dressing room.

At 190 cm and 96 kg, Pacheco stands out at both ends of the court, although his defensive quality fits the archetype of player Nikola Milos wants for this 2016–2017 Fertiberia side. Defensive ability and intensity are non-negotiable for the Croatian coach, as is the ability to play reliably at both ends of the court. With this signing, Fertiberia replaces Sasa Dukic, and together with Juande Linares he will occupy the right-back position reserved for left-handers in the Valencian red-and-white side.

Pacheco becomes the second Brazilian in Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s history, joining Brazilian national-team pivot Alex Pozzer.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.