Leandro Jones Johan Bacuna (born 21 August 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or right-back for TFF First League club Iğdır FK. Born in the Netherlands, he represents and captains the Curaçao national team. 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.Holland, Æresdivisionen – Politiken.dk

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 Villans, 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.

Bacuna captained Curaçao in their tournament debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life He is the brother of fellow professional football players Juninho Bacuna and Johnsen Bacuna. Leandro and Juninho both played as starting midfielders for Curaçao in the 2026 World Cup.

Career statistics

Club

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGroningen2009–10Eredivisie20221—2Appearance(s) in Eredivisie play-offs02432010–11Eredivisie24030—423122011–12Eredivisie32710—003372012–13Eredivisie33530—20385Total1091491—7212517Aston Villa2013–14Premier League3551020—3852014–15Premier League1904110—2412015–16Premier League3112020—3512016–17Championship3011000—3112017–18Championship1000000010Total11678150001298Reading2017–18Championship3313021—3822018–19Championship2630020—283Total6043041—665Cardiff City 2018–19Premier League1100000—1102019–20Championship41120002Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs04512020–21Championship4121010—4322021–22Championship1510000—151Total10942010201144Watford2022–23Championship1401000—150Groningen2023–24Eerste Divisie33150——3812024–25Eredivisie31421——335Total64571——716Bandırmaspor2025–26TFF First League19600——196Iğdır FK2025–26TFF First League16330——1932026–27TFF First League3000——30Total20330——233Career total511433771019256249

International

+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCuraçao201664201791201854201911220218220225120236020247120251112026101Total7917

As of match played 4 October 2026. Curaçao score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bacuna goal.

+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competitionNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition17 June 2016Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao44–07–02017 Caribbean Cup qualification25 October 201651–03–0311 October 2016Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico62–24–244–2510 October 2017Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar151–12–1Friendly626 March 2018Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao171–01–0710 September 2018184–010–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification87–0912 October 2018IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States193–05–0105 June 2019Chang Arena, Buriram, Thailand223–13–12019 King's Cup1121 June 2019BBVA Stadium, Houston, United States251–01–02019 CONCACAF Gold Cup1228 March 2021Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, Guatemala City, Guatemala331–02–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification135 June 2021Estadio El Trébol, Guatemala City, Guatemala343–08–0146 June 2022Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras411–02–12022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A159 September 2024Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada533–04–02024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B1613 November 2025Bermuda National Stadium, Devonshire Parish, Bermuda671–07–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification1727 September 2026Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao773–06–12026–27 CONCACAF Nations League A

Honours Aston Villa FA Cup runner-up: 2014–15

Curaçao Caribbean Cup: 2017 King's Cup: 2019

References

External links