Juninho Bacuna

Juninho Bacuna
Bacuna with Groningen in 2018
Personal information
Full name Juninho Bacuna[1]
Date of birth (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Groningen, Netherlands
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Wehda
Number 10
Youth career
FC Lewenborg
2005–2006 GRC Groningen
2006–2015 Groningen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Groningen 82 (2)
2018–2021 Huddersfield Town 102 (12)
2021–2022 Rangers 6 (1)
2022–2024 Birmingham City 105 (11)
2024– Al-Wehda 11 (1)
International career‡
2015–2016 Netherlands U18 2 (0)
2016–2018 Netherlands U20 11 (0)
2018–2019 Netherlands U21 3 (2)
2019– Curaçao 35 (11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:35, 6 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:21, 19 November 2024 (UTC)

Juninho Bacuna (born 7 August 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda. Born in the Netherlands, he represents the Curaçao national team.

Bacuna began his career in his native Netherlands with Groningen before moving to English football with Huddersfield Town. After one season in the Premier League and two in the second-tier Championship, he spent six months with Scottish Premiership club Rangers and then returned to English football with Birmingham City in 2022. He left for Al-Wehda in 2024. In international football, he played for the Netherlands up to under-21 level before switching in 2019 to represent Curaçao, for which he qualified by descent.

Club career

Groningen

Bacuna is a Groningen youth exponent. He made his Eredivisie debut on 5 February 2015 against Heracles Almelo replacing Yoell van Nieff after 79 minutes in a 2–2 away draw.[3] He came off the bench to help the Green-White Army win the KNVB Cup in the 2014–15 season against defending champions PEC Zwolle. It was their first major trophy and they qualified for the UEFA Europa League.[4][5]

Huddersfield Town

Bacuna signed for Premier League team Huddersfield Town on 20 June 2018, for an undisclosed fee for three years, with the club having the option for a further season.[6]

On 27 October 2018, Bacuna made his debut in the Premier League in a 3–0 away defeat to Watford, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute.[7] On 16 March 2019, he scored his first goal for Huddersfield in a 4–3 defeat at West Ham.[8]

After relegation from the Premier League, Huddersfield started the 2019–20 season in the EFL Championship badly, only amassing two points from their first nine games. Bacuna scored the only goal in the game in Huddersfield's first win of the season over Stoke City on 1 October 2019.[9]

On 11 May 2021, Huddersfield exercised the option to extend Bacuna's contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[10]

Rangers

On 19 August 2021, Bacuna signed for Scottish Premiership team Rangers.[11] The player was paraded to the club's supporters during the half-time interval of Rangers' Europa League play-off game against Alashkert.[12]

Birmingham City

Bacuna returned to English football when he joined Championship club Birmingham City on 27 January 2022 on a three-and-a-half-year contract; the fee was undisclosed.[13] He scored his first Birmingham goal in a 3–0 win at home to Luton Town on 12 February,[14] and finished the season with two goals and three assists from 17 appearances.[15][16]

At the start of the 2022–23 season new head coach John Eustace impressed on Bacuna that there was no doubt as to his exceptional talent with the ball but he needed to combine that with hard work off the ball, particularly in a small squad "over-reliant on [him] to create goal scoring opportunities".[17][18] By October he was filling in at wing back, from which position he scored a goal-of-the-season candidate away to Hull City.[19] As the season went on, his concentration improved and Eustace suggested he was maturing as a player. He missed 3 Championship matches through suspension,[20] and ended up with six assists from the remaining 43.[21]

Al-Wehda FC

Bacuna signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda on 28 August 2024 for an undisclosed fee.[22]

International career

Bacuna represented his native Netherlands at under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels. He played eleven matches for the under-20s, and three for the under-21s, and scored twice in a 4–1 win against Bolivia.[23][24][25]

He switched to represent Curaçao, for which he qualified by descent, in 2019.[26] He played four matches in that year's CONCACAF Nations League A group stage,[27] and once international football resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic, continued as a regular in the team.[28]

In September 2022, Bacuna played two friendly matches for Curaçao against the Indonesia national team in Indonesia. In the first, he scored in a 3–2 defeat.[29] In the second, he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a bad tackle on Marselino Ferdinan. He reacted to the dismissal by kicking the ball towards spectators, who retaliated by throwing water bottles onto the pitch. After the match, Bacuna was targeted on social media with abusive messages, some of a racist nature. His club issued a statement condemning the abuse and confirmed that it had been reported to the social media platforms.[30][31]

Personal life

Bacuna is the younger brother of Leandro Bacuna, also a footballer.[32]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 5 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Groningen 2014–15[33] Eredivisie 12 0 2 0 — 0 0 — 14 0
2015–16[34] Eredivisie 14 0 1 0 — 1[c] 0 3[d] 0 19 0
2016–17[35] Eredivisie 24 1 0 0 — — 2[e] 0 26 1
2017–18[36] Eredivisie 33 1 2 2 — — — 35 3
Total 83 2 5 2 — 1 0 5 0 94 4
Huddersfield Town 2018–19[37] Premier League 21 1 1 0 1 0 — — 23 1
2019–20[38] Championship 38 6 1 0 1 0 — — 40 6
2020–21[39] Championship 43 5 0 0 1 0 — — 44 5
Total 102 12 2 0 3 0 — — 107 12
Rangers 2021–22[15] Scottish Premiership 6 1 1 0 1 0 4[c] 0 — 12 1
Birmingham City 2021–22[15] Championship 17 2 — — — — 17 2
2022–23[40] Championship 43 2 3 0 0 0 — — 46 2
2023–24[41] Championship 45 7 1 0 2 2 — — 48 9
Total 105 11 4 0 2 2 — — 111 13
Al-Wehda 2024–25[42] Saudi Pro League 11 1 2 1 — — — 13 2
Career total 307 27 14 3 6 2 5 0 5 0 337 32
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup, Scottish Cup, King's Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, two in Eredivisie European competition play-offs
  5. ^ Appearances in Eredivisie European competition play-offs

International

As of match played 18 November 2024[29]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Curaçao 2019 4 0
2021 8 2
2022 5 1
2023 10 2
2024 8 6
Total 35 11
Scores and results list Curaçao's goal tally first; score column indicates score after each Bacuna goal.[29]
List of international goals scored by Juninho Bacuna
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 25 March 2021 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1–0 5–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification [43]
2 3–0
3 24 September 2022 Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium, Bandung, Indonesia  Indonesia 2–2 2–3 Friendly [44]
4 17 October 2022 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  Trinidad and Tobago 4–2 5–3 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League A [45]
5 16 November 2023 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  El Salvador 1–0 1–1 Friendly [46]
6 8 June 2024 Trinidad Stadium, Oranjestad, Aruba  Aruba 1–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification [47]
7 9 September 2024 Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada  Saint Martin 1–0 4–0 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B [48]
8 14 October 2024 Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia  Grenada 1–0 1–0 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B [49]
9 15 November 2024 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  Saint Martin 4–0 5–0 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B [50]
10 18 November 2024 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  Saint Lucia 3–1 4–1 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B [51]
11 4–1

References

  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish retained lists". Premier League. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Juninho Bacuna". Huddersfield Town AFC. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Heracles Almelo vs FC Groningen". Soccerway. Perform Group. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Groningen claim first trophy with KNVB Cup triumph". Goal.com. 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  5. ^ "PEC Zwolle vs. Groningen". Soccerway. Perform Group. 3 May 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Huddersfield sign Juninho Bacuna from FC Groningen". Sky Sports. 20 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Watford 3–0 Huddersfield: Defeat sends Terriers to bottom of table". BBC Sport. 27 October 2018. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  8. ^ "West Ham 4–3 Huddersfield: Javier Hernandez double rescues West Ham". BBC Sport. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Huddersfield beat bottom side Stoke". BBC Sport. 1 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  10. ^ Tomlinson, Adam (11 May 2021). "Retained List Confirmed". Huddersfield Town AFC. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Rangers transfer news: Juninho Bacuna joins Scottish champions from Huddersfield". Sky Sports. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  12. ^ Thomson, Nick (19 August 2021). "Report: Morelos Goal Gives 10-Man Gers The Win". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  13. ^ Coyle, Andy (27 January 2022). "Juninho Bacuna leaves Rangers to sign for Birmingham City". STV. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Birmingham City 3–0 Luton Town 0". BBC Sport. 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "Games played by Juninho Bacuna in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  16. ^ Dick, Brian (3 May 2022). "Juninho Bacuna opens up about life at Birmingham City following Rangers exit". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  17. ^ Dick, Brian (18 August 2022). "Birmingham City boss John Eustace reveals Juninho Bacuna talks". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  18. ^ Reis, Bruna (14 August 2022). "Birmingham City talking points as Blues face reality check after Cardiff City defeat". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  19. ^ Dick, Brian (16 October 2022). "Birmingham City player ratings vs Hull City: Deeney and Bacuna put Blues in the top half of the table". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  20. ^ Dicken, Alex (17 March 2023). "Juninho Bacuna decision confirmed in Birmingham City team news for QPR". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Birmingham City Scoring Stats – 2022–23". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Juninho Bacuna completes move from Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Juninho Bacuna: Jeugd mannen beloftenelftal". OnsOranje. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Juninho Bacuna: Jong Oranje". OnsOranje. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  25. ^ "Oefeninterlands, Seizoen 2017/'18: Jong Bolivia 1–4 Jong Oranje". OnsOranje. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  26. ^ Partington, Mikey (3 September 2019). "Bacuna on playing for his home country". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Juninho Bacuna: CONCACAF Nations League A 2019/2020". worldfootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Juninho Bacuna: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  29. ^ a b c "J. Bacuna". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Birmingham City's Juninho Bacuna Subjected to Social Media Abuse from Indonesia Fans". Football Tribe Asia. 2 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  31. ^ Abbott, Matt (2 October 2022). "Birmingham City condemn racist abuse directed at Juninho Bacuna". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Ook tweede Bacuna wint de beker" [A second Bacuna wins the cup as well] (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 17 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  33. ^ "Juninho Bacuna 2014–2015". FCGStats.nl. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Juninho Bacuna 2015–2016". FCGStats.nl. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Juninho Bacuna 2016–2017". FCGStats.nl. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Juninho Bacuna 2017–2018". FCGStats.nl. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Games played by Juninho Bacuna in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Games played by Juninho Bacuna in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Games played by Juninho Bacuna in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  40. ^ "Games played by Juninho Bacuna in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Games played by Juninho Bacuna in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  42. ^ "J. Bacuna". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Curaçao secure solid win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines". Caribbean Football Union. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Indonesia, Maldives triumph". The Asian Football Confederation. 25 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Panama take down Guatemala to capture Group A". CONCACAF. 18 October 2023. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  46. ^ "Curaçao vs. El Salvador 1–1". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  47. ^ "Aruba 0–2 Curaçao – FIFA World Cup 26™ Concacaf Qualifiers". FIFA. 9 June 2024. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  48. ^ "Haiti, Saint Lucia stay perfect in League B". CONCACAF. 10 September 2024. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  49. ^ "Saint Martin stuns Saint Lucia in League B". CONCACAF. 15 October 2024. Archived from the original on 15 October 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  50. ^ "Haiti clinches promotion, Gold Cup as group winner in League B". CONCACAF. 16 November 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  51. ^ "Curaçao finished in first place in Group B and qualified for the Gold Cup". CONCACAF. 19 November 2024. Archived from the original on 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.