Guillem Bauzà

Guillem Bauzà Mayol (born 25 October 1984) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a striker, second striker or attacking midfielder.

Guillem Bauzà
Personal information
Full nameGuillem Bauzà Mayol
Date of birth (1984-10-25) 25 October 1984 (age 39)
Place of birthPalma, Spain
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)Striker / Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Mallorca
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003–2005Mallorca B35(4)
2005–2007Espanyol B31(3)
2007–2010Swansea City49(9)
2010–2011Hereford United12(2)
2011Northampton Town10(4)
2011–2013Exeter City46(4)
2013–2014Port Talbot Town7(2)
2014–2016Merthyr Town10(2)
Total200(30)
International career
2000–2001Spain U169(1)
2001Spain U174(1)
2002–2003Spain U193(0)
Medal record
Men's Football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winner2001 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent most of his career in Wales and England, in representation of several clubs including Swansea City. He gained 16 caps for Spain at youth level.

Club career

Spain

Born in Palma, Majorca, Bauzà joined hometown club RCD Mallorca's youth system at a very early age. He only appeared for the reserves during his tenure.

In 2005, after the team's relegation to Tercera División, Bauzà signed with RCD Espanyol B also in that level, helping the side return to Segunda División B in his first season.[1]

Swansea City

In the summer of 2007, Bauzà joined Swansea City, being one of Spanish manager Roberto Martínez's first signings alongside countryman Àngel Rangel.[2] He scored twice in a 5–2 victory over Dutch amateurs Alphense Boys during pre-season,[3] but took time to settle into the team as his only starts were in cup games, his first competitive goal coming against Wycombe Wanderers in the Football League Trophy.[4] His first league goal came on 12 January 2008, in a 3–1 win at Luton Town.[5]

Later during the campaign, Bauzà wrote his name in the club's history books when, on 12 April 2008, he netted a brace against Gillingham to secure the Swans' promotion to the Football League Championship.[6] Two weeks later he scored his first hat-trick, helping defeat Leyton Orient 4–1 at the Liberty Stadium in the final matchday;[7] subsequently, as his contract was due to expire, he agreed to a new performance-related deal.[8]

In 2009–10, Bauzà was restricted to just seven appearances overall as new manager Paulo Sousa signed five new strikers in an attempt to replace Wigan Athletic-bound Jason Scotland. On 10 May 2010, he was released.[9][10]

Later years

On 16 September 2010, after an unsuccessful trial at Charlton Athletic, Bauzà signed a deal with League Two club Hereford United until January 2011.[11] He scored from a penalty kick on his debut away against Bury, two days later (1–1 draw).[12]

On 11 March 2011, Bauzà signed a monthly contract with fellow league team Northampton Town until the end of the season. His solid displays earned him the offer of a new deal, but it was rejected.[13]

On 15 May 2011, Bauzà joined League One side Exeter City on a free transfer as a replacement for the departing Ryan Harley.[14] He scored in his first competitive match, a 2–0 win against Yeovil Two at St James Park in the first round of the Football League Cup.[15][16]

Bauzà was released by Exeter on 30 April 2013, with manager Paul Tisdale suggesting that a lack of funding had forced him to trim the size of squad.[17] In late October, he moved to Port Talbot Town F.C. in the Welsh Premier League.[18]

On 11 October 2014, Bauzà returned to English league football, despite remaining in Wales, joining Southern League Division One South & West club Merthyr Town.[19]

In July 2015, Bauzà graduated with a first class honours degree from Swansea University's College of Medicine, and discussed studying for a PhD.[20]

International career

Bauzà won the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship with Spain, featuring in all six games in the tournament and sharing teams with Fernando Torres, who went on to play for the likes of Atlético Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea. Both were also teammates at under-17 and under-19 levels.[8][21]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 April 2014
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[a]League cup[b]OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Mallorca B2002–03[22]Segunda División B1010
2003–04[23]Segunda División B9090
2004–05[24]Segunda División B254254
Total354354
Espanyol B2005–06Tercera DivisiónData not available
2006–07[25]Segunda División B313313
Total313313
Swansea City2007–08[26]League One28754205[c]24013
2008–09[27]Championship152313000213
2009–10[27]Championship6000100070
Total4998560526816
Hereford United2010–11[28]League Two122301[c]0162
Northampton Town2010–11[28]League Two104104
Exeter City2011–12[29]League One27200211[c]0303
2012–13[30]League Two19200101[c]0212
Total464003120515
Port Talbot Town2013–14[31]Welsh Premier League72000072
Career total19028115918221836

Honours

Club

Swansea City
Merthyr Town

Country

Spain U16

References