The first Spanish signing in Argyle's history, Julio Pleguezuelo became the first acquisition during the summer of 2023. 

Julio joined Argyle having turned down the opportunity to stay at Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente, who had just qualified for European football in 2023/24. 

Born in Palma, on the island of Mallorca, Julio spent time in the youth set-ups of Spanish La Liga sides Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, before moving to England aged 16 to join Arsenal.

Whilst a Gunner, he rose to become captain of Arsenal’s Under-21 side, playing alongside players such as Serge Gnabry, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson.

Julio headed back to Spain for two loan spells, in 2016/17 and 2017/18, with Mallorca and Gimnastic respectively, both of Spain’s second tier.

In the 2018/19 season, Pleguezuelo played twice for Arsenal in the Papa Johns Trophy, and started one game for the first team, a 2-1 win for the Gunners at the Emirates. He then departed London to move to Twente in 2019, for whom he played almost 100 times. 

Pleguezuelo is primarily a central defender, who can also play at right back and in defensive midfield. He made 35 appearances in his debut season for Argyle.