Julio Pleguezuelo

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Pleguezuelo and the second or maternal family name is Selva.

Julio José Pleguezuelo Selva (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxuljo xoˈse pleɣeˈθwelo ˈselβa], born 26 January 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for EFL League One club Plymouth Argyle. Pleguezuelo mainly plays as a centre back but can also feature as both a right back and a defensive midfielder.^[3][4][5]

Julio Pleguezuelo

Pleguezuelo with Arsenal U19 in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Julio José Pleguezuelo Selva[1]
Date of birth	(1997-01-26) 26 January 1997 (age 28)
Place of birth	Palma, Spain
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s)	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Plymouth Argyle
Number	5
Youth career
2003–2004	Atlético Baleares
2004–2010	Espanyol
2010–2011	Atlético Madrid
2011–2013	Barcelona
2013–2016	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2019	Arsenal	1	(0)
2016–2017	→ Mallorca (loan)	15	(0)
2018	→ Gimnàstic (loan)	10	(0)
2019–2023	FC Twente	84	(3)
2023–	Plymouth Argyle	56	(1)
International career
	Spain U16
2014	Spain U17	4	(0)
2014	Spain U18	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 April 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Early career

Pleguezuelo whilst with Barcelona

Pleguezuelo was born in Palma, Majorca, Balearic Islands. In 2004, he joined RCD Espanyol's youth setup, after starting out at CD Atlético Baleares.^[6]

In 2010, Pleguezuelo moved to Atlético Madrid.^[7] The following year, however, he signed for FC Barcelona, being linked to Premier League sides Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur during his spell at the latter.^[8]

Arsenal

In July 2013, shortly after turning 16, Pleguezuelo moved abroad and signed for Arsenal.^[9] On 11 April of the following year, after becoming a key unit at the club's under-18 squad, he signed his first professional contract.^[10][11]

Pleguezuelo established himself as the captain of the under-21 side during the 2015–16 campaign.^[12] He went on to lead Arsenal to victory in the 2016 U21 Premier League 2 play-off final which was won by 3 goals to 1 over Aston Villa.^[13]

Pleguezuelo made his senior Arsenal debut against Blackpool in EFL Cup on 31 October 2018.^[14]

Mallorca (loan)

On 5 August 2016, Pleguezuelo was loaned to Segunda División side RCD Mallorca, for one year.^[15] He made his professional debut on 7 September, starting in a 1–0 Copa del Rey home win against CF Reus Deportiu.^[16]

On 9 October 2016, Pleguezuelo made his debut in the second tier, playing the last nine minutes in a 3–0 home win against SD Huesca.^[17] After 15 matches and a subsequent relegation, he returned to his parent club.

Gimnàstic (loan)

On 31 January 2018, Pleguezuelo was loaned to Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the second division until the end of the season.^[18]

FC Twente

On 21 May 2019, Pleguezuelo joined FC Twente of the Eredivisie on a free transfer. He signed a two-year deal with the option of a third^[19]

Plymouth Argyle

On 21 June 2023, Pleguezuelo joined newly-promoted Championship club Plymouth Argyle on a two-year contract. The move saw him become the first Spanish player to play for the club.^[20]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 April 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[a]		League cup[b]		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Arsenal	2016–17[21]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2017–18[21]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2018–19[21]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
Arsenal U21	2018–19[22]	—	—		—		—		—		2[c]	0	2	0
Mallorca (loan)	2016–17[21]	Segunda División	15	0	2	0	—		—		—		17	0
Gimnàstic (loan)	2017–18[23]	Segunda División	10	0	0	0	—		—		—		10	0
FC Twente	2019–20[24]	Eredivisie	19	0	1	0	—		—		—		20	0
	2020–21[25]	Eredivisie	19	1	1	0	—		—		—		20	1
	2021–22[26]	Eredivisie	23	0	3	0	—		—		—		26	0
	2022–23[27]	Eredivisie	23	2	1	0	—		2[d]	0	4[e]	0	30	2
	Total		84	3	8	0	—		2	0	4	0	96	3
Plymouth Argyle	2023–24[28]	Championship	32	0	1	0	2	0	—		—		35	0
	2024–25[29]	Championship	24	1	3	0	2	0	—		—		29	1
	Total		56	1	4	0	4	0	—		—		64	1
Career total			165	4	12	0	5	0	2	0	6	0	190	4

1. Includes Copa del Rey, KNVB Cup, FA Cup
2. Includes EFL Cup
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
5. Appearance(s) in Eredivisie European competition play-offs

Honours

Arsenal

• U21 Premier League 2 play-offs: 2016^[13]

Individual

• Eredivisie Team of the Month: March 2022,^[30]