Juan Francisco "Pepe" Bauza (born 3 May 1996) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for CategorÃÂa Primera A club Atlético Nacional, on loan from FC U Craiova.
Bauza started his career with Argentine Primera División side Colón. His first appearance for the club came on 22 October 2016 in loss at home to Patronato. He made three further appearances in the 2016âÂÂ17 season, prior to being loaned out for the following campaign to Juventud Unida. He scored the first two goals of his senior career in April 2018 against Deportivo Riestra and Santamarina respectively. Bauza signed for fellow club Gimnasia y Esgrima on loan on 12 July 2018. One goal in twenty-two games followed, as they reached the promotion play-offs.
On 29 July 2019, Bauza headed to Poland to join Polish first division outfit Górnik Zabrze on a season-long loan; having trained since June. He made his bow in a league defeat away to Wisà Âa Kraków on 5 August. Bauza played in the fourth tier on 11 August for their reserve team Górnik II Zabrze, notably scoring against Ruch Zdzieszowice in III liga. On 17 February 2020, the Polish club confirmed that the loan deal had been terminated and that Bauza had joined Romanian club FK CsÃÂkszereda. He had impressed the Romanian side whilst playing against them for the Polish outfit in a friendly match on 25 January.
Bauza scored five goals in eight friendlies upon joining Miercurea Ciuc, prior to making his competitive debut in Liga II during a 6âÂÂ0 home loss to UTA Arad on 24 February. He initially signed for just six months, though soon extended his stay there for another twelve months.
In August 2022, FC U Craiova's president Adrian Mititelu rejected a â¬2 million bid from FCSB. On 14 September 2022, Bauza signed a contract extension, with his release clause set at â¬8 million.
Bauza's father, Marcelo, was also a footballer.
Atlético Nacional