Currently, Pečnik plays for RB Omiya Ardija, continuing his professional football journey.
Nejc Pečnik is a Slovenian footballer known for his versatility as a midfielder, winger, and forward.
He represented the Slovenia men's national football team from 2009 to 2015, earning 32 caps and scoring 6 goals.
Biography
Early Life
Nejc Pečnik was born in Dravograd, Slovenia, which was then part of Yugoslavia. He began his football journey at his hometown club, Dravograd, where he showcased his talent in the youth teams before moving to NK Celje. Pečnik made his first division debut on April 24, 2004, against Ljubljana, and quickly established himself as a key player for Celje, particularly during the 2007-08 season when he became the club's top scorer with 14 league goals.
Career
Pečnik's career took a significant turn in June 2008 when he was loaned to AC Sparta Prague. However, his time there was limited, and he returned to Celje before signing with C.D. Nacional in Portugal. After a brief loan to FC Krylia Sovetov Samara, he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2012, where he faced challenges, including a missed penalty on his debut. Following his stint in England, Pečnik played for FK Crvena zvezda and JEF United Chiba, before moving to RB Omiya Ardija in 2016, where he continues to play.
International Career
Pečnik made his debut for the Slovenia national team on April 1, 2009, in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. He scored his first international goal shortly after, contributing to Slovenia's historic qualification for the 2010 World Cup. Over his international career, he earned 32 caps and scored 6 goals, playing a vital role in Slovenia's football history.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Pečnik has been recognized for his versatility on the field, primarily playing as an attacking midfielder but also capable of performing as a winger or forward. His contributions to both club and country have solidified his status as a notable figure in Slovenian football history.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Celje
Born in Dravograd, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), Pečnik started his career at hometown club Dravograd. After showing promise in its youth teams he was signed by Celje, making his first division debut on 24 April 2004 against Ljubljana. The following year Pečnik played in only seven league matches, adding a few cup appearances including the final against Gorica. In the 2005–06 season he managed to gain a regular place in the first team, eventually establishing himself as a key offensive player. In 2007–08, Pečnik was Celje's top scorer with 14 league goals. After five seasons he was loaned out in June 2008 to Sparta Prague, but appeared rarely with the Czech first division outfit during his six-month stay, spending most of his time with the reserve squad.
Nacional
After a further 15 league games with Celje, Pečnik signed with Nacional of Portugal. On 16 July 2012, after three seasons of irregular playing time, also being loaned to Russian club Krylia Sovetov Samara for five months, he signed a two-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday in the Football League Championship.
Sheffield Wednesday
In his official debut with the Owls, on 12 August 2012, Pečnik missed a penalty and was booked before half-time, as his team trailed at Oldham Athletic 2–0. He played the full 90 minutes in an eventual 4–2 win for the season's Football League Cup. Pečnik was released by Wednesday at the end of his only campaign.
Red Star Belgrade
On 1 July…
Pečnik made his debut for the Slovenia national team on 1 April 2009, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. He scored his first goal for Slovenia on 10 October 2009, during the same qualifying campaign, in a 2–0 win over Slovakia. On 14 November 2009, he scored a decisive away goal in the 2010 World Cup qualification play-offs, as Slovenia lost 2–1 against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium, only to win 1–0 in the second leg, taking the tie on the away goals and qualifying for a World Cup for the second time in the nation's history; in the final stages, he appeared twice as a late substitute, having to be however stretchered off in the match against the United States. Overall, Pečnik earned a total of 32 caps, scoring 6 goals.
Club
As of 31 December 2018
International
Scores and results list Slovenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pečnik goal.
- Club
- RB Omiya Ardija (2016–)
- Club
- Slovenia national under-21 football team (2005–2008)
- National team
- Slovenia
- Club
- Slovenia men's national football team (2009–2015)
- Club
- Sheffield Wednesday F.C. (2012–2013)
- Club
- AC Sparta Prague (2008–2009)
- Club
- NK Celje (2002–2009)
- Club
- C.D. Nacional (2009–2012)
- Club
- FC Krylia Sovetov Samara (2011–2011)
- Club
- FK Crvena zvezda (2013–2014)
- Club
- JEF United Chiba (2015–2015)
Legacy
Clubs
- RB Omiya Ardija2016current
- NK Celje2002–2009
- Slovenia national under-21 football team2005–2008
- AC Sparta Prague2008–2009
- C.D. Nacional2009–2012
- Slovenia men's national football team2009–2015
- FC Krylia Sovetov Samara2011–2011
- Sheffield Wednesday F.C.2012–2013
- FK Crvena zvezda2013–2014
- JEF United Chiba2015–2015
Played together with
Abiola DaudaFK Crvena zvezda · 2013–2014- Aboubakar OumarouFK Crvena zvezda · 2008–2009
- Aboubakar OumarouFK Crvena zvezda · 2009–2009
Adam DaviesSheffield Wednesday F.C. · 2012–2014
Adam HložekAC Sparta Prague · 2018–2022
Adam JánošAC Sparta Prague · 2012–2015- Adam JánošAC Sparta Prague · 2016
Adam KarabecAC Sparta Prague
Adam PetroušAC Sparta Prague · 2005–2006
Adis JahovićFC Krylia Sovetov Samara · 2014
Ado OnaiwuJEF United Chiba · 2014- Adolf PatekAC Sparta Prague · 1926–1932
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Nejc Pečnik is a Slovenian footballer who plays for Dravograd. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he also plays as a winger or forward.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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