Julio Pleguezuelo’s Arsenal career has come to an end, with the defender joining Dutch side FC Twente on a two-year deal.
The centre-back, who joined the Gunners in 2013, leaves having made one competitive appearance for the first-team, which came against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup last season.
The vast majority of Pleguezuelo’s action for Arsenal came for the U23s, having initially been promoted to what was then the U21 side in his first season as a scholar.
Pleguezuelo, who previously played for Barcelona’s youth sides, impressed with his passion and his composure on the ball, while he also gained experience on loan at Mallorca and Gimnastic de Tarragona.
During his time at Arsenal Pleguezuelo made over 50 appearances for the U23s, and helped the second string earn promotion to the top tier, although a breakthrough into the first-team proved to be difficult due to injuries and the signings of senior players.
The 22-year-old had reached the stage in his development where he needs to play regular first-team football, but it is still a shame to see a player who served the club so well at youth level depart.
Pleguezuelo’s departure means that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is the only player who remains at the club from the 2013 intake of players, a group that also included Dan Crowley and Gedion Zelalem.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 