Dani Pacheco

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Pacheco and the second or maternal family name is Lobato.

Daniel Pacheco Lobato (born 5 January 1991) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a winger or an attacking midfielder for Polish club Wisła Płock. He joined Liverpool in 2007 having previously been in the youth ranks at Barcelona.

Dani Pacheco

Pacheco with Liverpool in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Daniel Pacheco Lobato[1]
Date of birth	(1991-01-05) 5 January 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Pizarra,[2] Spain
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[3]
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team	Wisła Płock
Number	8
Youth career
	Peña La Vega
2001–2003	Málaga
2003–2007	Barcelona
2007–2009	Liverpool
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2013	Liverpool	5	(0)
2011	→ Norwich City (loan)	6	(2)
2011–2012	→ Atlético Madrid (loan)	0	(0)
2011–2012	0 → Rayo Vallecano (loan)	11	(0)
2013	→ Huesca (loan)	19	(5)
2013–2014	Alcorcón	32	(5)
2014–2017	Betis	23	(0)
2015–2016	→ Alavés (loan)	36	(3)
2016–2017	→ Getafe (loan)	31	(3)
2017–2018	Getafe	11	(0)
2018–2020	Málaga	44	(2)
2021	Logroñés	10	(0)
2021–2022	Aris Limassol	12	(0)
2022–2024	Górnik Zabrze	62	(4)
2024–	Wisła Płock	8	(0)
International career
2007	Spain U16	5	(0)
2007–2008	Spain U17	5	(3)
2009	Spain U18	3	(1)
2009–2010	Spain U19	12	(5)
2011	Spain U20	6	(0)
2011	Spain U21	2	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Spain UEFA Euro U-19 Runner-up 2010 France
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09 September 2024

Club career

Early career

Pacheco signed for Liverpool from Barcelona for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2007 and initially played for Liverpool reserves. Before his transfer, Pacheco enjoyed a reputation as a rising star in the ranks of Barcelona's youth academy. Such was his ability to score goals from almost any position, teammates nicknamed him El Asesino ("The Assassin").^[4][5]

Pacheco made his first start for the Liverpool reserves on 5 February 2008, against Bolton Wanderers. He scored the first goal of the game, a low curling shot past Ian Walker. In April 2008, Pacheco made a 50-yard pass to assist Krisztián Németh in scoring the only goal of the game against Blackburn Rovers Reserves, which secured the Premier Reserve League North title for Liverpool. On 7 May 2008, Pacheco, who came on as a substitute in the second half, threaded a through pass to teammate Lucas to score the third and final goal in Liverpool's Reserve League final victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.^[6]

Liverpool

Pacheco playing for Liverpool in 2012

Pacheco made his first team debut on 9 December 2009 as a second-half substitute for Alberto Aquilani in a UEFA Champions League match against Fiorentina.^[7][8] His league debut came on 26 December when he replaced Aquilani once more in a 2–0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.^[9][10]

On 18 February 2010, Pacheco came on as a substitute in the 75th minute for Aquilani again in a UEFA Europa League match versus Unirea Urziceni; six minutes later, he provided a headed assist for David Ngog's match-winning goal.^[11]

On 10 August 2010, Pacheco was handed the number 12 for the 2010–11 season, previously worn by Fábio Aurélio, who was handed number 6 after he re-signed for the club.^[12] On 3 December, Liverpool confirmed that both he and Martin Kelly had signed contract extensions until June 2014.

On 23 March 2011, Pacheco joined Norwich City on emergency loan until the end of the season, being handed the number 37 shirt. He made his debut against Scunthorpe United on 2 April, setting up the first goal for Grant Holt and playing through the pass which won the penalty for Norwich's second goal in a 6–0 rout at Carrow Road.^[13] He scored his first Norwich goal in the 5–1 away victory over East Anglia derby rivals Ipswich Town on the 21st, concluding the thrashing after coming on as a substitute for Wes Hoolahan.^[14]

On 24 August 2011, Atlético Madrid announced on their official website that Pacheco had joined the club on loan from Liverpool for the 2011–12 La Liga season, and would be immediately loaned to Rayo Vallecano for the year. It was also confirmed that Atlético had an option to buy Pacheco at the end of the season.^[15] Pacheco made his debut for Rayo Vallecano as 84th-minute substitute in the 0–1 win against Getafe on 18 September.

On 31 January 2013, Pacheco was loaned to second-tier Huesca until the end of the season.^[16] Pacheco scored on his debut for Huesca, the last goal in a 2–0 win over Real Murcia on 3 February. He helped his team with 5 goals in 19 matches.

Later career

On 2 September 2013, Pacheco joined Spanish second division side AD Alcorcón on permanent basis.^[17][18]

Pacheco left Alcorcón at the end of the 2013–14 season and signed for Real Betis on 11 July 2014.^[19] He appeared in 23 matches during the campaign, as his side returned to La Liga after a one-year absence.

On 28 July 2015, Pacheco was loaned to Deportivo Alavés in the second division, for one year.^[20] After again achieving top level promotion, he moved to Getafe CF on 23 July of the following year, also in a temporary deal.^[21]

Pacheco achieved a third consecutive top tier promotion with Geta, and was bought outright on 3 July 2017.^[22] On 15 August of the following year, he signed a three-year contract with Málaga CF in the second division.^[23]

Pacheco was one of the eight first team players released by Málaga on 3 October 2020, due to a layoff.^[24] The following 1 February, he signed a short-term contract with fellow second division side UD Logroñés.^[25] Pacheco was released in June 2021 following the expiration of his contract. Pacheco signed for Aris Limassol on 25 August 2021 as a free agent and was released by the club on 31 January 2022.

On 10 March 2022, he joined Polish club Górnik Zabrze until the end of the season.^[26] Pacheco left the club at the end of his contract in June 2024.^[27]

On 16 July 2024, Pacheco moved to Polish second-tier club Wisła Płock on a one-year deal, with a one-year extension option.^[28]

International career

At the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, Pacheco scored twice in Spain's group match against Portugal. He then went on to score another goal against quarter-final opponents Italy as Spain qualified for the semi-finals. He went on to score early in the semi-final against England, a game in which Spain won 3–1. They then lost the final against France 2–1, with Pacheco making an assist.^[29] He won the Golden Boot at the Championships after scoring four goals.^[30]

Pacheco made his debut for the Spain U21 team – alongside Liverpool teammate Daniel Ayala – when he featured in a friendly against France on 24 March. He played 45 minutes and received a yellow card as a second-half substitute in the 3–2 friendly defeat.^[31] He was selected as part of the Spain U20 squad to compete at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.^[32]

Career statistics

As of match played 17 May 2024^[33]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Liverpool	2009–10	Premier League	4	0	0	0	0	0	3[lower-alpha 1]	0	—		7	0
	2010–11	Premier League	1	0	0	0	1	0	5[lower-alpha 2]	0	—		7	0
	2012–13	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	2[lower-alpha 2]	0	—		3	0
	Total		5	0	0	0	2	0	10	0	0	0	17	0
Norwich City (loan)	2010–11	Championship	6	2	0	0	0	0	—		—		6	2
Rayo Vallecano (loan)	2011–12	La Liga	11	0	1	0	—		—		—		12	0
Huesca (loan)	2012–13	Segunda División	19	5	0	0	—		—		—		19	5
Alcorcón	2013–14	Segunda División	32	5	5	2	—		—		—		37	7
Real Betis	2014–15	Segunda División	23	0	2	0	—		—		—		25	0
Alavés (loan)	2015–16	Segunda División	36	3	2	0	—		—		—		38	3
Getafe	2016–17	Segunda División	31	3	0	0	—		—		3[lower-alpha 3]	3	34	6
	2017–18	La Liga	11	0	1	0	—		—		—		12	0
	Total		42	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	3	46	6
Málaga	2018–19	Segunda División	22	1	0	0	—		—		2[lower-alpha 3]	0	24	1
	2019–20	Segunda División	22	1	0	0	—		—		—		22	1
	Total		44	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	46	2
Logroñés	2020–21	Segunda División	10	0	—		—		—		—		10	0
Aris Limassol	2021–22	Cypriot First Division	12	0	1	1	—		—		—		13	1
Górnik Zabrze	2021–22	Ekstraklasa	8	1	—		—		—		—		8	1
	2022–23	Ekstraklasa	28	2	3	0	—		—		—		31	2
	2023–24	Ekstraklasa	26	1	2	0	—		—		—		28	1
	Total		62	4	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	67	4
Wisła Płock	2024–25	I liga	0	0	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
Career total			302	24	17	3	2	0	10	0	5	3	336	30

1. One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearance in Segunda División promotion play-offs

Honours

Betis

• Segunda División: 2014–15

Alavés

• Segunda División: 2015–16

Spain U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2010^[34]

Individual

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship Golden Boot: 2010^[35]

References

1. "Premier League clubs submit squad lists" (PDF). Premier League. 1 February 2013. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
2. "Boy from Pizarra makes Reds debut". Liverpoolfc.tv. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010.
3. "Dani Pacheco" (in Polish). Wisła Płock. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
4. Tully, D, "The Boy Has Got Skills – Liverpool's Dani Pacheco", 27 November 2009, accessed 9 February 2010
5. Heron, P, "The Killer has been signed by Liverpool" Archived 6 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine, MyAnfield, 1 July 2007, accessed 9 February 2010
6. "Dani boy's dazzling glimpse of the future". Liverpoolecho.co.uk. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
7. Doyle, Ian. "Liverpool Daily Post". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
8. The Press Association – Reds sign off with defeat^{[dead link]}
9. Reekie, Harry (26 December 2009). "BBC Sport – Football – Liverpool 2–0 Wolves". BBC News. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
10. "Rafa Benitez: Dani Pacheco's Premier League Debut A 'Real Positive' For Liverpool". Goal.com. 28 December 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
11. Bevan, Chris (18 February 2010). "Liverpool 1–0 Unirea Urziceni". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
12. "Pacheco handed new number". liverpoolfc.tv. Liverpool F.C. 10 August 2010. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
13. "Norwich 6–0 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
14. "Ipswich 1–5 Norwich". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
15. "Atletico and Liverpool agree a deal for Dani Pacheco". clubatleticodemadrid.com. Club Atlético de Madrid. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
16. Shaw, Chris (31 January 2013). "Pacheco loaned to Spanish outfit". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
17. "Alcorcon complete Pacheco signing from Liverpool". Goal.com.
18. "Pacheco departs LFC for Spain". Liverpool F.C.
19. Betis, Real (11 July 2014). "Dani Pacheco ya es bético: "Estaba deseando que llegara este momento"". realbetisbalompie.es/. Real Betis. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
20. "El Deportivo Alavés incorpora al delantero Dani Pacheco" [Deportivo Alavés signs forward Dani Pacheco] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés. 28 July 2015. Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
21. "Dani Pacheco azulón" (in Spanish). Getafe CF. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
22. "Portillo y Pacheco del Getafe" [Portillo and Pacheco from Getafe] (in Spanish). Getafe CF. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
23. "Dani Pacheco returns home". Málaga CF. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
24. "Several players leave the Club". Málaga CF. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
25. "Dani Pacheco, nuevo fichaje blanquirrojo para la parcela ofensiva" [Dani Pacheco, new white-and-red signing for the offensive part] (in Spanish). UD Logroñés. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
26. "Dani Pacheco piłkarzem Górnika!" (in Polish). Górnik Zabrze. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
27. "Dani Pacheco odchodzi z Górnika" (in Polish). Górnik Zabrze. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
28. "Dani Pacheco dołącza do Wisły Płock" (in Polish). Wisła Płock. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
29. Bryan, Paul (27 July 2010). "Spain 3–1 England". UEFA.com. UEFA. Archived from the original on 28 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
30. "Pacheco lands accolade". Liverpoolfc.tv. Liverpool F.C. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
31. "FFF : sélections, football, fiche, espoirs, féminines, masculines, UEFA, FIFA". Fff.fr. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
32. "SOCCER-SPAIN Spanish Under 20". Soccer-spain.com. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
33. "Dani Pacheco » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
34. "France U19 vs. Spain U19 - 30 July 2010 - Soccerway".
35. "Technical report" (PDF). UEFA. p. 82. Retrieved 26 April 2012.

External links

• Dani Pacheco – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Dani Pacheco – UEFA competition record (archive)