Pro Recco have officially announced the signing of Australian left-hander Luke Pavillard, confirming one of the most anticipated transfer moves of the summer.
The 29-year-old from Perth becomes the latest addition to the Italian champions’ star-studded roster, joining from Australian side Fremantle, having previously spent several successful seasons at CN Atlètic-Barceloneta in Spain.
Rumours of Pavillard’s move to Liguria first surfaced in January, with increasing speculation in recent months. The club has now confirmed the deal, bringing one of the Aussie Sharks’ top performers from the Paris 2024 Olympics into the fold.
Pavillard’s career began at Melville Water Polo Club in Western Australia, before moving to the United States to play for the University of the Pacific, where he made a significant impact—scoring 248 goals in four seasons, earning three Golden Coast Conference Player of the Year awards, and twice being named a Peter J. Cutino Award finalist.
He later joined Barceloneta, where he gained valuable LEN Champions League experience and won two Spanish Super Cups. After a seven-year absence from the national team, Pavillard returned to the Aussie Sharks setup in 2022 and has since become a regular fixture.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Pavillard was instrumental in Australia’s campaign, scoring 14 goals in seven games as the team reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012. His standout moment came in the group stage, netting a hat-trick in the first half against Serbia.
Pavillard now follows in the footsteps of fellow Australians Aaron Younger and Joe Kayes in joining Europe’s most decorated club. His arrival further strengthens a Pro Recco squad determined to remain at the summit of both domestic and continental competition.
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