FC Cincinnati have signed Dutch midfielder Jurgen Locadia to a Designated Player contract, the MLS club announced on Monday.
Locadia will join Cincinnati on loan from English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, with the MLS side having the option for a permanent transfer in the summer. Locadia spent the first half of this season at Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, where scored four goals in 11 league appearances.
"We are excited to bring in a proven forward in Jurgen to strengthen our attacking abilities," FC Cincinnati general manager Gerard Nijkamp said in a team statement. "He is a talented goalscorer in his prime and we feel adding an impact player of his caliber will be a great addition to our club. We look forward to welcoming Jurgen to our club and city."
Locadia joined Brighton in 2018 after seven seasons at Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven. Locadia has appeared for the Netherlands at youth levels and has one call-up for the senior side during its recent UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign.
"I am looking forward to a new opportunity with FC Cincinnati," Locadia said. "I want to try to help the team build new memories and be an important player for the team."
Locadia is the second DP for Cincinnati, who signed Yuya Kubo from Belgian team Gent in January. The tandem are expected to bolster the second-year MLS side's offensive prowess after scoring a league-low 31 goals and a last-place finish.