VfL sign Jürgen Locadia

VfL Bochum 1848 have signed Jürgen Locadia. The 28-year-old Dutch forward moves to Castroper Straße on a free transfer from the Premier League, where he played 35 games for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Locadia is no stranger to the Bundesliga, he spent just under half a year at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in the 2019/20 season. In the Bundesliga, the attacker scored four times in eleven games and also made an assist. At VfL his contract runs until 30.06.2022. Locadia will wear the number 19.

Jürgen Locadia was born in Emmen in the Dutch province of Drenthe and took his first footballing steps there. Via the U17s of Eredivisie club Willem II Tilburg, he eventually joined the youth team of 24-time Dutch champions and two-time European Cup winners PSV Eindhoven. At the age of 18, Locadia made his debut for PSV in the Eredivisie, where he played a total of 127 games, scoring 79 goals (45 goals, 34 assists). With PSV, Locadia was twice champion (2015, 2016), cup winner (2012) and Dutch Super Cup winner (2016, 2017).

In January 2018, Locadia moved to the Premier League, to promoted Brighton & Hove Albion. He made 34 appearances for the “Seagulls” in a year and a half before being loaned first to Hoffenheim and then to FC Cincinnati in the MLS. Locadia re-joined the Brighton & Hove Albion squad at the start of the 2021/22 season.

“We are very pleased to be able to attract such an interesting and internationally experienced player to VfL,” said Sebastian Schindzielorz, Director of Sport at VfL Bochum 1848. “Jürgen Locadia already knows the Bundesliga and will add another facet due to his qualities going forward.”

Bochum’s newcomer is looking forward to the challenges ahead, “I’m glad that the move to VfL has worked out. I’m curious about the team and am looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga again. Having had little playing time recently, I naturally hope that this will change at VfL,” said Jürgen Locadia.

Player data JÜRGEN LOCADIA

DOB: 07/11/1993 in Emmen/NETH

Height: 186 cm

Weight: 86 kg

Nationality: Dutch

BL Games/Goals: 11/4

PL Games/Goals: 35/3

MLS Games/Goals: 27/3

Eredivisie Games/Goals: 127/45

Champions League Games/Goals: 11/2

Europa League Games/Goals: 19/1

Previous clubs: Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG (01/2018 – 01/2021), FC Cincinnati/USA (02/2020 – 06/2021), TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (08/2019 – 01/2020), PSV Eindhoven/NED (2010 – 01/2018), Willem II Tilburg/NED (2009/10), RKSV Sarto/NED (2008/09), FC Emmen/NED (2004-08), VV Emmen/NED (2001-04), VV Bargeres/NED (1998-2001).