Leandro Bacuna


Leandro Jones Johan Bacuna is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or right-back for TFF First League club Iğdır FK. Born in the Netherlands, he was a former youth international for them, before switching to represent the Curaçao national team at senior level. He is their joint most-capped player along with Eloy Room.

Club career

Groningen

On 30 October 2009, Bacuna made his first team debut for Groningen in an Eredivisie match against PSV. Bacuna has also played for Groningen's youth teams. On 6 November 2009, he scored his first goal for the first team in a league match against Heracles Almelo, an eventual 4–1 victory for Groningen.

Aston Villa

It was announced on 13 June 2013 that Bacuna had signed a three-year contract with Premier League club Aston Villa. Handed the number 7 shirt, Bacuna impressed many with his debut season for the Villains, despite constantly playing out of position at right back. Bacuna scored his first Premier League goal on 28 September at home against Manchester City. His second goal came from a free-kick in the claret and blues' 2–0 victory over Cardiff City. He continued his goalscoring run with goals against West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Norwich.
In the 2014–15 season, Bacuna found it harder to break into the starting line-up, starting just one game in the Premier League. On 15 February 2015, he scored the first of two Villa goals in the fifth round of the FA Cup in a 2–1 win over Leicester City, taking the club into the quarter-finals.
On 20 August 2015, Bacuna signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Reading

On 13 August 2017, Bacuna moved to Reading, signing a four-year contract. He scored his first goal for Reading in an EFL Cup tie against Millwall on 22 August 2017.

Cardiff City

On 31 January 2019, Bacuna moved to Premier League side Cardiff City, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal for a transfer fee believed to be around £3 million. On 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Bacuna would leave the club when his contract expired on 30 June.

Watford

On 14 December 2022, Bacuna signed for Championship club Watford on a contract until the end of the 2022–23 season.

Iğdır FK

On 6 January 2026, he was transferred to Iğdır FK, signing a one and half year contract.

International career

Born in the Netherlands to parents of Afro-Curaçaoan descent, Bacuna played for the Netherlands Antilles under-20 side, as well as various youth Dutch teams. He received his first Curaçao national team call-up in March 2016, earning his first cap in a 1–0 loss to Barbados.

Personal life

He is the older brother of fellow professional football player Juninho Bacuna.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
17 June 2016Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao44–07–02017 Caribbean Cup qualification
25 October 2016Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao51–03–02017 Caribbean Cup qualification
311 October 2016Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico62–24–22017 Caribbean Cup qualification
411 October 2016Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico64–24–22017 Caribbean Cup qualification
510 October 2017Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar151–12–1Friendly
626 March 2018Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao171–01–0Friendly
710 September 2018Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao184–010–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
810 September 2018Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao187–010–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
912 October 2018IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States193–05–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
105 June 2019Chang Arena, Buriram, Thailand223–13–12019 King's Cup
1121 June 2019BBVA Stadium, Houston, United States251–01–02019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
1228 March 2021Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, Guatemala City, Guatemala331–02–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
135 June 2021Estadio El Trébol, Guatemala City, Guatemala343–08–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
146 June 2022Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras411–02–12022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
159 September 2024Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada533–04–02024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B
1613 November 2025Bermuda National Stadium, Devonshire Parish, Bermuda671–07–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Aston Villa
Curaçao
  • Caribbean Cup: 2017
  • King's Cup: 2019