Born in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores to Portuguese parents, Pacheco began his senior career in the regional leagues, playing with Vitória Pico da Pedra.
He made his Primeira Liga debut on 5 October, playing one minute in the 2–0 home win against Vitória de Guimarães,[3] but could only make eight competitive appearances in his first year (two in the Taça da Liga and one in the UEFA Europa League – 15 minutes of the 5–1 home victory over FK Austria Wien in the group stage).
[4] Pacheco returned to Santa Clara in the summer of 2010, being immediately appointed captain by manager Bruno Moura.
[5] In early June 2013, after finishing the second-division campaign with four goals in 37 games, he signed a contract extension with the club.
On 14 May 2010, he was picked for the friendlies against Argentina and Venezuela;[9] after playing six minutes from the bench in the first game (a 5–0 loss),[10] he started on the 1–1 draw on the 29th.