| Juan Cruz | |
| Full Name: | Juan Cruz Díaz Espósito |
| Birth Date: | 25 April 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Quilmes, Argentina |
| Height: | 1.77m |
| Position: | Attacking midfielder, winger |
| Currentclub: | Leganés |
| Clubnumber: | 11 |
| Youthyears1: | 2010–2016 |
| Youthclubs1: | Málaga |
| Youthyears2: | 2016–2017 |
| Youthclubs2: | San Félix |
| Youthyears3: | 2017–2018 |
| Youthclubs3: | Málaga |
| Years1: | 2017–2021 |
| Caps1: | 64 |
| Goals1: | 11 |
| Years2: | 2018–2021 |
| Caps2: | 4 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2021–2023 |
| Caps3: | 38 |
| Goals3: | 7 |
| Years4: | 2022–2024 |
| Caps4: | 11 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2024 |
| Clubs5: | → Leganés (loan) |
| Caps5: | 16 |
| Goals5: | 4 |
| Years6: | 2024– |
| Caps6: | 0 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2018 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 2 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 6 June 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 30 June 2018 |
Juan Cruz Díaz Espósito (born 25 April 2000), known as Juan Cruz, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as either as an attacking midfielder or a winger for CD Leganés.
Born in Quilmes, Argentina, Cruz grew up in Rincón de la Victoria, Málaga, Andalusia,[1] and joined Málaga CF's youth setup in 2010.[2] He made his senior debut with the reserves on 19 November 2017, coming on as a second-half substitute for Nacho Abeledo in a 5–1 Tercera División home routing of Martos CD.[3]
Cruz made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 19 May 2018, replacing Mehdi Lacen in a 0–1 home loss against Getafe CF.[4] On 1 July 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Real Betis after his deal with Málaga expired; he was assigned to the B-team.[5]
On 21 October 2022, five days after his first team debut for the Verdiblancos, Cruz signed a new contract with the club until 2025.[6] He scored his first professional goal nine days later, netting the opener in a 2–0 away win over Real Sociedad.[7]
Definitely promoted to the first team of Betis for the 2023–24 season, Cruz only featured rarely before moving to Segunda División side CD Leganés on loan on 1 February 2024.[8] After helping in their promotion to the top tier as champions, he signed a permanent four-year contract with the club on 12 June.[9]
Gold Medal 2018