SKILLFUL Argentinian, Julio became Gareth Southgate's first senior player when he signed from Sunderland in the summer of 2006.

He signed a five-year deal for £1.75m after making more than 100 apearances for the Black Cats and scoring 12 goals - including a memorable free-kick to seal a 2-0 win against Boro at the Riverside in 2005-06.

Julio previously played for Argentinos Juniors, who include Maradona and Redondo as two of their most celebrated graduates.

He was spotted by ex-Sunderland boss Peter Reid while playing for Argentina Under-21s against England in 2000 and after completing a £3.5m transfer duly scored on his Black Cats debut against West Ham United.

Equally comfortable at left back, left wing or in midfield, Julio has made a name for himself as an attacking playmaker.

He made his Boro debut in the opening game of the 2006-07 season, a 3-2 defeat away to Reading in Boro's first game at the Madejski Stadium, Saturday August 19 2006.

He broke a bone in his foot shortly before half-time in that game and was out of action until a reserve game away to Blackburn where he played 70 minutes on Monday October 2 that year.

It was after an inspired switch to a central midfield berth by manager Gareth Southgate that Arca really found his feet at the Riverside,

His knowledge of the left-wing role enabled him to link up well with Stewart Downing, regularly finding the England man with incisive balls inside the full-back.

Julio scored in North East derbies against Newcastle and then former side Sunderland early in 2007/08 but a serious knee injury sustained against the Black Cats led to a near three-month absence from the side.

Injury again restricted his appearances during the 2009-10 season but he was back in the side at the start of the 2010-11 campaign, scoring his first goal in three years with Boro's second in a 2-1 win at Chesterfield in the Carling Cup in August.