VOLENDAM — After days of rumors and speculation, FC Volendam confirmed Wednesday it has signed Juninho Bacuna, bringing the Curaçao international in on a six-month loan from Gaziantep FK.
The 28-year-old midfielder’s deal does not include an option to buy, the club said.
Bacuna joined Gaziantep last summer after the Turkish club signed him from Al-Wehda. He has made 12 appearances this season for Gaziantep.
In the Netherlands, Bacuna played 94 matches for FC Groningen before moving to England with Huddersfield Town. He later had a loan spell with Rangers and went on to play more than 100 games for Birmingham City.
Bacuna has also appeared 45 times for the Curaçao national football team.
“I’m very happy and satisfied with this step to FC Volendam,” Bacuna said in a statement. “It all happened very fast in recent days. I’m here with the goal to keep FC Volendam in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie, and I want to get minutes again. With my experience, I think I can help the team and the fans reach that goal.”
Technical director Patrick Busby called the move “a compliment” for the club and credited Bacuna and Gaziantep for helping make the loan possible.
Busby said Bacuna played less in Turkey because of a change in system and added that, with the World Cup approaching, the move is a “win-win” for all parties.
Volendam described Bacuna as a versatile player with significant international experience. The club said he is scheduled to join the squad Thursday.