Arsenal U-21 captain and defender Julio Pleguezuelo has completed his move to RCD Mallorca on loan until the end of the season, the Spanish club have officially confirmed.
The 19-year-old, who joined the North London club from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, is a versatile defender, who is capable of playing across the backline as well as in a holding midfield role.
According to reports in Talk Sport, the centre-back who impressed mightily last season for the U-21’s will continue his development by joining Mallorca on loan for a season.
The report which was originated from Diario de Mallorca states that Pleguezuelo will be officially unveiled by manager Fernando Vazquez very shortly and could immediately join their pre-season preparations.
The defender reportedly had plenty of suitors but the youngster chose to return to his homeland. The Gunners were queried on inserting a buy-back clause in this loan deal however, the Emirates quickly rejected the option.
Here is the tweet from Marca, with a pic
BREAKING: @RCD_Mallorca have confirmed the arrival of Julio Pleguezuelo on a season-long loan from @Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/7mmCQSoZV3
— MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) August 3, 2016
The youngster joined Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 2013 and signed his first professional contract with the north London side in April 2014, but had an injury-ravaged season following that. He is a typically Spanish footballer, despite being defensive-minded, he is very comfortable in possession and has a good eye for a pass.
He is a composed centre-back, who might have been used as a utility player this season due to his ability to adapt to many different roles, including anywhere across the back line and in central midfielder something that may prove unbelievably key as he looks to force his way into the first-team set-up in the coming years.
The defender might have knocked the first team doors had he stayed, but it seems Wenger preferred for the youngster to get some exposure which is very crucial for young defenders.
