Gonçalo Paciência Joins Sanfrecce Hiroshima After Leaving Celta Vigo

Portuguese striker Gonçalo Paciência has agreed to join Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima following his departure from Celta Vigo. The 30-year-old forward, who previously played for clubs like Porto, Olympiacos, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Schalke 04, will continue his career in Japan’s J1 League.

Paciência struggled for game time during his two years at Celta Vigo, making only 28 appearances and scoring three goals. Now, he looks to revive his career in Asia with this new challenge at Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a historic club founded in 1938, is one of the most successful teams in Japan. The club has a rich tradition, with three J1 League titles (2012, 2013, and 2015), three Emperor’s Cups, and four Japanese Super Cups. The team is also well-known for its participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they hold the record for the most points by an Asian team. Based in Hiroshima, the team plays at the Peace Wing Stadium, which has a capacity of 36,894 spectators, and dons their signature purple uniforms.

For Paciência, this new adventure offers an opportunity to relaunch his career after a difficult spell at Celta Vigo, where injuries and lack of consistent playing time limited his impact. Despite his challenges in La Liga, Paciência’s experience in top European leagues, including the Bundesliga and Primeira Liga, highlights his quality as a striker. His journey includes impressive stints with Porto and Eintracht Frankfurt, where he developed a reputation for being a reliable target man, netting 58 goals throughout his club career.

Born in Porto, Paciência rose through the ranks of FC Porto’s academy and made his professional debut in 2013. He has also represented Portugal at the international level, earning two caps and scoring one goal. His physicality and technical ability have made him a sought-after player in various European clubs. Now, he aims to bring his experience and leadership to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, helping the team compete for further success in Japan.