Julio Arca
Julio Andrés Arca (born 31 January 1981) is an Argentine former professional footballer, who played as a left-back or central midfielder. He was most recently manager of South Shields.
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Arca warming up for Sunderland in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Julio Andrés Arca | ||
| Date of birth | 31 January 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Quilmes, Argentina | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Central midfielder, left wingback | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1992–1999 | Argentinos Juniors | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1998–2000 | Argentinos Juniors | 36 | (0) |
| 2000–2006 | Sunderland | 157 | (17) |
| 2006–2013 | Middlesbrough | 160 | (9) |
| 2015–2018 | South Shields | ||
| International career | |||
| 2001 | Argentina U20 | 12 | (2) |
| 2000 | Argentina U21 | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2023 | South Shields | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Arca spent the majority of his career in the North East of England, firstly for Sunderland from 2000 to 2006, and then for Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2013. He retired from professional football following his release from Middlesbrough, and subsequently played Sunday League football for Willow Pond for the 2014–15 season. He later signed for South Shields, in addition to his return to Sunderland as part of the club's youth coaching staff.
During his professional career, he was seen as an attack-minded player, with his key attributes including good long and short passing, as well as being a hard worker. Throughout his career at Sunderland and Middlesbrough, Arca has gained a cult following among supporters at Sunderland, Middlesbrough and South Shields.