Julio Arca
| Date of birth | 31 January 1981 |
| Place of birth | Quilmes Bernal |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Weight | 73 kg |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Position | Defender/Midfielder |
Manager Peter Reid raised a few eyebrows when he paid out a substantial fee for this relatively unknown Argentinian youngster, but Julio soon showed the Sunderland faithful why he was valued so highly and he quickly became a crowd favourite.
Just 25 minutes into his debut against West Ham United, he headed home Kevin Kilbane's cross and became the new hero on Wearside.
Although he was absent early in the New Year due to international commitments, he returned to score superb goals against Manchester United and Ipswich Town.
A left-sided midfielder or winger, he combines outstanding ball skills with some aggressive tackling and was a real thorn in the side of many a Premiership right back in 2000-01.
An unmistakable sight with socks around his ankles and golden boots, he was a member of the Argentina Under-20 team that won the World Youth Championships in the summer, and was voted 'Young Player of the Year' by members of the Supporters' Association.
Julio's contract at Sunderland was extended to June 2007 in November 2004.
His contract at Middlesbrough was extended to June 2011 in March 2008 and to June 2013 in August 2011 before it was cancelled in April 2013.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentinos Juniors | 01 Jul 1999 | 31 Aug 2000 | |
| Sunderland | 31 Aug 2000 | 26 Jul 2006 | |
| Middlesbrough | 26 Jul 2006 | 23 Apr 2013 |
Club stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Sunderland | FA Cup | 1 |
1
|
|||
| 2000-01 | Sunderland | League Cup | 2 | 1 |
1
|
||
| 2000-01 | Sunderland | Premier League | 26 | 1 |
2 |
6
|
|
| 2001-02 | Sunderland | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Sunderland | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Sunderland | Premier League | 20 | 2 |
1 |
3
|
|
| 2002-03 | Sunderland | FA Cup | 4 | 1 |
|||
| 2002-03 | Sunderland | League Cup | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 2002-03 | Sunderland | Premier League | 7 | 6 |
|||
| 2003-04 | Sunderland | FA Cup | 6 | 2 |
1
|
||
| 2003-04 | Sunderland | League Division 1 | 31 | 4 |
4
|
2
|
|
| 2004-05 | Sunderland | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2004-05 | Sunderland | League Championship | 39 | 1 |
9 |
8
|
|
| 2004-05 | Sunderland | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Sunderland | FA Cup | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 2005-06 | Sunderland | Premier League | 22 | 2 |
1 |
5
|
|
| 2006-07 | Middlesbrough | FA Cup | 7 | 1 |
|||
| 2006-07 | Middlesbrough | Premier League | 18 | 3 |
2 |
3
|
|
| 2007-08 | Middlesbrough | FA Cup | 5 |
1
|
|||
| 2007-08 | Middlesbrough | Premier League | 23 | 1 |
2 |
6
|
|
| 2008-09 | Middlesbrough | FA Cup | 3 | ||||
| 2008-09 | Middlesbrough | Premier League | 14 | 4 |
5
|
||
| 2009-10 | Middlesbrough | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2009-10 | Middlesbrough | League Championship | 26 | 8 |
7
|
||
| 2009-10 | Middlesbrough | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2010-11 | Middlesbrough | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2010-11 | Middlesbrough | League Championship | 27 | 5 |
3 |
9
|
|
| 2010-11 | Middlesbrough | League Cup | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 2011-12 | Middlesbrough | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2011-12 | Middlesbrough | League Championship | 22 | 8 |
3
|
1
|
|
| 2011-12 | Middlesbrough | League Cup | 1 | 1 |
1
|
||
| 2012-13 | Middlesbrough | League Championship | 1 | ||||
| 2012-13 | Middlesbrough | League Cup | 2 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Sep 2000 | Sunderland v West Ham United | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 09 Sep 2000 | Manchester United v Sunderland | L | 3-0 | Premier League | |
| 16 Sep 2000 | Sunderland v Derby County | W | 2-1 | Premier League | |
| 23 Sep 2000 | Liverpool v Sunderland | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 01 Oct 2000 | Sunderland v Leicester City | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 14 Oct 2000 | Sunderland v Chelsea | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 22 Oct 2000 | Aston Villa v Sunderland | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 28 Oct 2000 | Sunderland v Coventry City | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 04 Nov 2000 | Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | Premier League | |
| 18 Nov 2000 | Newcastle United v Sunderland | W | 1-2 | Premier League | |
| 28 Nov 2000 | Sunderland v Manchester United | W | 2-1 | League Cup | 4th round |
| 04 Dec 2000 | Sunderland v Everton | W | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 09 Dec 2000 | Sunderland v Middlesbrough | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 16 Dec 2000 | Leeds United v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 19 Dec 2000 | Crystal Palace v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | League Cup | Quarter-final |
| 23 Dec 2000 | Sunderland v Manchester City | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 26 Dec 2000 | Bradford City v Sunderland | W | 1-4 | Premier League | |
| 01 Jan 2001 | Sunderland v Ipswich Town | W | 4-1 | Premier League | |
| 10 Feb 2001 | Sunderland v Liverpool | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 17 Feb 2001 | Sunderland v West Ham United | L | 0-1 | FA Cup | 5th round |
| 24 Feb 2001 | Leicester City v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 05 Mar 2001 | Sunderland v Aston Villa | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 17 Mar 2001 | Chelsea v Sunderland | W | 2-4 | Premier League | |
| 31 Mar 2001 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 0-2 | Premier League | |
| 09 Apr 2001 | Middlesbrough v Sunderland | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 14 Apr 2001 | Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 2-3 | Premier League | |
| 16 Apr 2001 | Coventry City v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 21 Apr 2001 | Sunderland v Newcastle United | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 28 Apr 2001 | Southampton v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 19 May 2001 | Everton v Sunderland | D | 2-2 | Premier League | |
| 18 Aug 2001 | Sunderland v Ipswich Town | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 08 Sep 2001 | Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 12 Sep 2001 | Sheffield Wednesday v Sunderland | L | 4-2 | League Cup | 2nd round |
| 16 Sep 2001 | Aston Villa v Sunderland | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 19 Sep 2001 | Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 1-2 | Premier League | |
| 22 Sep 2001 | Sunderland v Charlton Athletic | D | 2-2 | Premier League | |
| 29 Sep 2001 | Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | Premier League | |
| 13 Oct 2001 | Sunderland v Manchester United | L | 1-3 | Premier League | |
| 22 Oct 2001 | Middlesbrough v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 27 Oct 2001 | Sunderland v Arsenal | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 03 Nov 2001 | Leicester City v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 18 Nov 2001 | Sunderland v Leeds United | W | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 25 Nov 2001 | Liverpool v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 01 Dec 2001 | Sunderland v West Ham United | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 09 Dec 2001 | Sunderland v Chelsea | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 22 Dec 2001 | Sunderland v Everton | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 26 Dec 2001 | Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland | W | 0-3 | Premier League | |
| 29 Dec 2001 | Ipswich Town v Sunderland | L | 5-0 | Premier League | |
| 01 Jan 2002 | Sunderland v Aston Villa | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 05 Jan 2002 | Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion | L | 1-2 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 12 Jan 2002 | Everton v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 29 Jan 2002 | Sunderland v Middlesbrough | L | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 02 Feb 2002 | Manchester United v Sunderland | L | 4-1 | Premier League | |
| 09 Feb 2002 | Derby County v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 28 Aug 2002 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 28 Sep 2002 | Sunderland v Aston Villa | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 01 Oct 2002 | Cambridge United v Sunderland | W | 0-7 | League Cup | 2nd round |
| 06 Oct 2002 | Arsenal v Sunderland | L | 3-1 | Premier League | |
| 11 Jan 2003 | Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 14 Jan 2003 | Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers | W | 2-0 | FA Cup | 3rd round replay |
| 18 Jan 2003 | Everton v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | Premier League | |
| 25 Jan 2003 | Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland | D | 3-3 | FA Cup | 4th round |
| 28 Jan 2003 | Sunderland v Southampton | L | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 01 Feb 2003 | Sunderland v Charlton Athletic | L | 1-3 | Premier League | |
| 05 Feb 2003 | Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers | W | 2-2 (3-0) | FA Cup | 4th round replay |
| 08 Feb 2003 | Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland | L | 4-1 | Premier League | |
| 15 Feb 2003 | Sunderland v Watford | L | 0-1 | FA Cup | 5th round |
| 22 Feb 2003 | Sunderland v Middlesbrough | L | 1-3 | Premier League | |
| 15 Mar 2003 | Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers | L | 0-2 | Premier League | |
| 19 Apr 2003 | Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion | L | 1-2 | Premier League | |
| 21 Apr 2003 | Manchester City v Sunderland | L | 3-0 | Premier League | |
| 26 Apr 2003 | Sunderland v Newcastle United | L | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 23 Aug 2003 | Preston North End v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 25 Aug 2003 | Sunderland v Watford | W | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 30 Aug 2003 | Bradford City v Sunderland | W | 0-4 | League Division 1 | |
| 13 Sep 2003 | Sunderland v Crystal Palace | W | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 16 Sep 2003 | Stoke City v Sunderland | L | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 20 Sep 2003 | Derby County v Sunderland | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 27 Sep 2003 | Sunderland v Reading | W | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 30 Sep 2003 | Sunderland v Ipswich Town | W | 3-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 Oct 2003 | Sheffield United v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 14 Oct 2003 | Sunderland v Cardiff City | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Oct 2003 | Sunderland v Rotherham United | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 25 Oct 2003 | Norwich City v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Nov 2003 | West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 Nov 2003 | Gillingham v Sunderland | W | 1-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 08 Nov 2003 | Sunderland v Coventry City | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 22 Nov 2003 | Crewe Alexandra v Sunderland | L | 3-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 29 Nov 2003 | Sunderland v Burnley | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 02 Dec 2003 | Sunderland v Wigan Athletic | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 08 Dec 2003 | Coventry City v Sunderland | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 13 Dec 2003 | West Ham United v Sunderland | L | 3-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 28 Dec 2003 | Rotherham United v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 03 Jan 2004 | Sunderland v Hartlepool United | W | 1-0 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 10 Jan 2004 | Sunderland v Nottingham Forest | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 24 Jan 2004 | Ipswich Town v Sunderland | W | 1-2 | FA Cup | 4th round |
| 07 Feb 2004 | Watford v Sunderland | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 14 Feb 2004 | Sunderland v Birmingham City | D | 1-1 | FA Cup | 5th round |
| 21 Feb 2004 | Cardiff City v Sunderland | L | 4-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 25 Feb 2004 | Birmingham City v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | FA Cup | 5th round replay |
| 03 Mar 2004 | Walsall v Sunderland | W | 1-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 07 Mar 2004 | Sunderland v Sheffield United | W | 1-0 | FA Cup | Quarter-final |
| 27 Mar 2004 | Sunderland v Derby County | W | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 Apr 2004 | Millwall v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | FA Cup | Semi-final |
| 06 Apr 2004 | Wimbledon v Sunderland | W | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 09 Apr 2004 | Sunderland v Sheffield United | W | 3-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 12 Apr 2004 | Ipswich Town v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 18 Apr 2004 | Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Apr 2004 | Crystal Palace v Sunderland | L | 3-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 07 Aug 2004 | Coventry City v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | League Championship | |
| 10 Aug 2004 | Sunderland v Crewe Alexandra | W | 3-1 | League Championship | |
| 14 Aug 2004 | Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers | D | 2-2 | League Championship | |
| 21 Aug 2004 | Plymouth Argyle v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | League Championship | |
| 24 Aug 2004 | Sunderland v Chester City | W | 3-0 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 28 Aug 2004 | Sunderland v Wigan Athletic | D | 1-1 | League Championship | |
| 31 Aug 2004 | Reading v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | League Championship | |
| 11 Sep 2004 | Gillingham v Sunderland | W | 0-4 | League Championship | |
| 14 Sep 2004 | Sunderland v Nottingham Forest | W | 2-0 | League Championship | |
| 18 Sep 2004 | Sunderland v Preston North End | W | 3-1 | League Championship | |
| 02 Oct 2004 | Sunderland v Derby County | D | 0-0 | League Championship | |
| 16 Oct 2004 | Sunderland v Millwall | W | 1-0 | League Championship | |
| 19 Oct 2004 | Watford v Sunderland | D | 1-1 | League Championship | |
| 25 Oct 2004 | Rotherham United v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | League Championship | |
| 30 Oct 2004 | Sunderland v Brighton and Hove Albion | W | 2-0 | League Championship | |
| 02 Nov 2004 | Sunderland v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 3-1 | League Championship | |
| 05 Nov 2004 | Millwall v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | League Championship | |
| 13 Nov 2004 | Leicester City v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | League Championship | |
| 21 Nov 2004 | Sunderland v Ipswich Town | W | 2-0 | League Championship | |
| 27 Nov 2004 | Stoke City v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | League Championship | |
| 11 Dec 2004 | Cardiff City v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | League Championship | |
| 18 Dec 2004 | Sunderland v Burnley | W | 2-1 | League Championship | |
| 26 Dec 2004 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 2-3 | League Championship | |
| 28 Dec 2004 | Nottingham Forest v Sunderland | W | 1-2 | League Championship | |
| 01 Jan 2005 | Preston North End v Sunderland | L | 3-2 | League Championship | |
| 16 Jan 2005 | Derby County v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | League Championship | |
| 22 Jan 2005 | Sunderland v Sheffield United | W | 1-0 | League Championship | |
| 29 Jan 2005 | Everton v Sunderland | L | 3-0 | FA Cup | 4th round |
| 04 Feb 2005 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland | D | 1-1 | League Championship | |
| 12 Feb 2005 | Sunderland v Watford | W | 4-2 | League Championship | |
| 19 Feb 2005 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | League Championship | |
| 22 Feb 2005 | Sunderland v Rotherham United | W | 4-1 | League Championship | |
| 12 Mar 2005 | Crewe Alexandra v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | League Championship | |
| 15 Mar 2005 | Sunderland v Plymouth Argyle | W | 5-1 | League Championship | |
| 19 Mar 2005 | Sunderland v Coventry City | W | 1-0 | League Championship | |
| 02 Apr 2005 | Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland | W | 1-3 | League Championship | |
| 05 Apr 2005 | Wigan Athletic v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | League Championship | |
| 09 Apr 2005 | Sunderland v Reading | L | 1-2 | League Championship | |
| 17 Apr 2005 | Ipswich Town v Sunderland | D | 2-2 | League Championship | |
| 23 Apr 2005 | Sunderland v Leicester City | W | 2-1 | League Championship | |
| 29 Apr 2005 | West Ham United v Sunderland | W | 1-2 | League Championship | |
| 08 May 2005 | Sunderland v Stoke City | W | 1-0 | League Championship | |
| 13 Aug 2005 | Sunderland v Charlton Athletic | L | 1-3 | Premier League | |
| 20 Aug 2005 | Liverpool v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 23 Aug 2005 | Sunderland v Manchester City | L | 1-2 | Premier League | |
| 27 Aug 2005 | Wigan Athletic v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 10 Sep 2005 | Chelsea v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 17 Sep 2005 | Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 25 Sep 2005 | Middlesbrough v Sunderland | W | 0-2 | Premier League | |
| 23 Oct 2005 | Newcastle United v Sunderland | L | 3-2 | Premier League | |
| 10 Dec 2005 | Charlton Athletic v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 26 Dec 2005 | Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 31 Dec 2005 | Sunderland v Everton | L | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 02 Jan 2006 | Fulham v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | Premier League | |
| 08 Jan 2006 | Sunderland v Northwich Victoria | W | 3-0 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 15 Jan 2006 | Sunderland v Chelsea | L | 1-2 | Premier League | |
| 21 Jan 2006 | West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland | W | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 28 Jan 2006 | Brentford v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | FA Cup | 4th round |
| 31 Jan 2006 | Sunderland v Middlesbrough | L | 0-3 | Premier League | |
| 04 Feb 2006 | West Ham United v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 12 Feb 2006 | Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 15 Feb 2006 | Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland | L | 2-0 | Premier League | |
| 25 Feb 2006 | Birmingham City v Sunderland | L | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 05 Mar 2006 | Manchester City v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | Premier League | |
| 11 Mar 2006 | Sunderland v Wigan Athletic | L | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 25 Mar 2006 | Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers | L | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 17 Apr 2006 | Sunderland v Newcastle United | L | 1-4 | Premier League | |
| 22 Apr 2006 | Portsmouth v Sunderland | L | 2-1 | Premier League | |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
International stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | Argentina | Under-21 | 1 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Argentina | South America Youth Championship Under-20 | 7 | 2 |
3
|
||
| 2000-01 | Argentina | World Youth Cup Under-20 | 2 |
||||
| 2001-02 | Argentina | World Youth Cup | 3 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
International matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 2000 | England v Argentina | L | 1-0 | Under-21 | |
| 16 Jan 2001 | Colombia v Argentina | W | 1-4 | SAYC Under-20 | Group B |
| 18 Jan 2001 | Argentina v Chile | W | 1-0 | SAYC Under-20 | Group B |
| 22 Jan 2001 | Argentina v Uruguay | D | 1-1 | SAYC Under-20 | Group B |
| 24 Jan 2001 | Ecuador v Argentina | W | 0-1 | SAYC Under-20 | Final round |
| 26 Jan 2001 | Argentina v Chile | D | 2-2 | SAYC Under-20 | Final round |
| 28 Jan 2001 | Brazil v Argentina | L | 1-0 | SAYC Under-20 | Final round |
| 04 Feb 2001 | Paraguay v Argentina | D | 1-1 | SAYC Under-20 | |
| 20 Jun 2001 | Argentina v Egypt | W | 7-1 | World Youth Cup Under-20 | Group A |
| 23 Jun 2001 | Argentina v Jamaica | W | 5-1 | World Youth Cup Under-20 | Group A |
| 01 Jul 2001 | Argentina v France | W | 3-1 | World Youth Cup | Quarter-final |
| 04 Jul 2001 | Argentina v Paraguay | W | 5-0 | World Youth Cup | Semi-final |
| 08 Jul 2001 | Argentina v Ghana | W | 3-0 | World Youth Cup | Final |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.