[6] After five seasons he was loaned out in June 2008 to Sparta Prague,[7] but appeared rarely with the Czech first division outfit during his six-month stay, spending most of his time with the reserve squad.

[9][10] On 16 July 2012, after three seasons of irregular playing time, also being loaned to Russian club Krylia Sovetov Samara for five months,[11] he signed a two-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday in the Football League Championship.

[12] 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.

Pečnik made his debut for the Slovenia national team on 1 April 2009, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland.

[16] 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,[17] 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;[18] in the final stages, he appeared twice as a late substitute, having to be however stretchered off in the match against the United States.