Lucas Pacheco Affini (born 1 March 1990), commonly known as Lucas Sasha, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Fortaleza.

Career

Lucas Sasha began his youth career with Corinthians. He was part of the side that won the youth cup – Copa São Paulo de Juniores in 2009. In the same year he moved to Grêmio Barueri.

In 2010, he made his professional debut for Grêmio and played in 16 matches through the season. He competed in three matches for the club during Campeonato Paulista (from January to May). In the second part of the season, he participated in 13 matches in Série A. The team finished 20th in the league and was relegated.

In January 2011, he went on trial to West Ham United. Later he moved to the Italian Catanzaro 1929.

In early 2012 he joined São José and played in Campeonato Paulista Série A2. He played in 10 matches for the club. During the summer of 2012, Sasha passed trial in CSKA Sofia and signed as a free agent with the club. Lucas debuted for CSKA in the second qualifying round of UEFA Europa League, coming on as substitute for Kosta Yanev in a match against Mura 05. He scored his first goal as a CSKA player in A Group against Slavia Sofia. On 31 October he made assist for the equalizing goal and scored the second against Ludogorets Razgrad in a 2–1 win at Ludogorets Arena for the Bulgarian Cup. On 6 April 2013, Sasha netted the winning goal for CSKA against Botev Vratsa as the match finished 4–3 at Hristo Botev Stadium. During the summer of 2013 CSKA experienced a management and financial crisis, causing Lucas to start looking for a new club.

On 4 July 2013, Sasha signed a two-year contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv after a short trial. On 18 July, he marked his debut by scoring a goal and providing an assist in the 4–1 away win over Beroe in the first leg of a UEFA Europa League preliminary round match. He returned to Bulgaria, joining reigning champions Ludogorets Razgrad in the summer of 2015.

On 10 July 2019, he moved to the Super League Greece, signing a two-year contract with Aris. On 24 August 2019, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 home draw against OFI. On 10 November 2019, he scored with a beautiful header helping to a 2–1 home win against Asteras Tripolis.

On 4 January 2020, he scored with a perfect shot, after an assist from Giannis Fetfatzidis, to seal a triumphant 4–2 home win against PAOK, at the Derby of Thessaloniki. Ten days later, he helped with a goal to a 2–1 home win against Xanthi, as his team qualified for the quarter-finals of the Greek Cup.

In June 2020, Sasha is likely to extend his contract, as everyone in the team has been impressed by his consistency and professionalism.

His first goal for the 2020–21 season came in a 2–2 away draw against Atromitos, on 5 December 2020. In the first game of 2021, Sasha opened the score in a 2–0 home win against Volos.

On 22 March 2021, Sasha signed a new three-year contract, which will keep at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, until the summer of 2024.

Career statistics

As of 2 June 2022

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
CSKA Sofia2012–13Group A2921020—322
Hapoel Tel Aviv2013–14Israeli Premier League344004211397
2014–15Israeli Premier League253502100324
Total5975063117111
Ludogorets Razgrad2015–16Group A220001010240
2016–17First League251417000362
2017–18First League2702011000400
2018–19First League181207000271
Total92281260101273
Aris2019–20Super League Greece3436140—444
2020–21Super League Greece3534010—403
2021–22Super League Greece3024021—363
Total99814171—12010
Career total279192824142135026

Honours

Corinthians Paulista

Ludogorets Razgrad

Fortaleza

External links

  • at Soccerway
  • at WorldFootball.net