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Alex Paulsen

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Alex Paulsen
Paulsen playing for the Wellington Phoenix in 2024
Personal information
Full name Alexander Noah Paulsen[1]
Date of birth (2002-07-04) 4 July 2002 (age 22)[1]
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Auckland FC
(on loan from Bournemouth)
Number 12
Youth career
–2017 Onehunga Sports
2018 Wellington Phoenix
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2023 Wellington Phoenix Reserves 21 (0)
2018 → Wellington United (loan) 2 (0)
2019–2021 → Lower Hutt City (loan) 39 (0)
2021–2024 Wellington Phoenix 33 (0)
2024– Bournemouth 0 (0)
2024– → Auckland FC (loan) 7 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 New Zealand U-17 8 (0)
2019– New Zealand U-23 5 (0)
2024– New Zealand 1 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  New Zealand
OFC Nations Cup
Winner 2024 Fiji/Vanuatu
OFC U-16 Championship
Winner 2018 Tonga/Solomon Islands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 July 2024

Alexander Noah Paulsen (born 4 July 2002) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for A-League club Auckland FC, on loan from Premier League club Bournemouth, and the New Zealand national team.

Born in Auckland, Paulsen joined the Wellington Phoenix in 2018. Initially playing for their reserve team, Paulsen signed his first professional deal in September 2021 and largely served as second-choice goalkeeper. Following a standout debut season as starting goalkeeper, Paulsen signed for Bournemouth in June 2024.[2] Paulsen represented New Zealand U23 at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.[3][4][5]

Early life

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Paulsen was born in Auckland to a South African father and Namibian mother.[6][7] He played futsal throughout his childhood, and only committed to playing football as a goalkeeper at the age of 13 after beginning as an outfielder.[8] Paulsen initially played in the youth ranks of Onehunga Sports under the tutelage of noted youth development coach Hiroshi Miyazawa. In 2018, aged 15, Paulsen moved to Wellington to join the Wellington Phoenix academy through their affiliation with Onehunga Sports, following in the footsteps of fellow graduates Sarpreet Singh and Max Mata.[8]

Club career

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Wellington Phoenix

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Early career

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After progressing through the Wellington Phoenix age-grade sides, Paulsen was regularly named as a substitute for Wellington Phoenix Reserves throughout the 2018–19 and 2019–20 New Zealand Football Championship seasons, but did not make an appearance. During this time, Paulsen played for Wellington Phoenix affiliate clubs Wellington United and Lower Hutt City in the Central League. On 14 November 2020, Paulsen finally made his reserves debut, starting in a 1–0 loss to Team Wellington in the opening game of the 2020–21 season. Paulsen remained a consistent starter throughout the season, and despite the team finishing last, Paulsen was named the league's Most Valuable Player.[9] His performances for the reserves culminated in his first professional contract, signing for the senior team on a three-year deal alongside fellow reserve standout Ben Old.[10]

Paulsen entered the 2021–22 A-League Men season as second-choice goalkeeper behind club captain Oliver Sail. On 19 December 2021, following an injury to Sail, Paulsen made his A-League debut as a substitute in a 2–1 loss against Sydney FC.[11] Paulsen would remain starter in Sail's absence; in an FFA Cup quarterfinal match against Melbourne City on 5 January 2022, Paulsen made three saves in a 0–0 (4–3) penalty shootout extra time win to secure the Phoenix's maiden semifinal appearance in the competition.[12] Upon Sail's return from injury, however, Paulsen returned to a bench role, and he did not make an appearance the following season.

Breakout season

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Sail departed the club to sign with Perth Glory prior to the start of the 2023–24 season.[13] Paulsen became starting goalkeeper under new head coach Giancarlo Italiano, and played every minute as the Wellington Phoenix finished second, achieving their highest ever finish while conceding the lowest number of goals in club history.[14] Paulsen was named the Wellington Phoenix Members' Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Under–23 Player of the Year.[15] He was named A-League Men Goalkeeper of the Year, and shared the Young Footballer of the Year award with Nestory Irankunda; this marked the first ever time a Wellington Phoenix player had won the award.[16] He was also named in the A-League Men Team of the Season, receiving the most votes out of any player.[17] Paulsen's season has since been noted as among the best of any A-League goalkeeper in history.[18]

On 20 May 2024, Paulsen was called up to the A-League All Stars for a friendly match against Newcastle United; Paulsen started the match as the All Stars won 8–0.[19][20]

Bournemouth

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In June 2024, Paulsen signed for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth for a reported initial fee of £850,000, rising up to £2 million[2] on a 4 year contract. The A Leagues then removed the 'Caceres rule' to allow him to be loaned to Auckland FC.[21][22]

International career

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In September 2018, Paulsen was called up for New Zealand to compete in the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship. Paulsen made three competition appearances, and was presented the Golden Glove award. In the final against the Solomon Islands, Paulsen saved two penalties – one in regular time, one in the penalty shootout – as New Zealand prevailed to win their eighth title, qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the process.[23]

Paulsen played in all three of New Zealand's games in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, being eliminated in the group stage. Despite making a high-profile error in a 3–0 loss to Brazil, Paulsen recovered to keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Canada.[24]

Aged just 17, Paulsen was called up by Des Buckingham to the New Zealand under-23 squad for the 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Paulsen made one appearance, as a late substitute in a 6–1 win over Samoa, as New Zealand won the title and qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[25] Danny Hay named Paulsen as a traveling reserve for the tournament, with Michael Woud and Jamie Searle preferred in the main squad; Paulsen did not make an appearance as New Zealand reached the quarter-finals.[25]

In September 2022, Paulsen was first called up to the senior national team for a two-game friendly series against Australia, but did not play in either match.[26] He was later called up for friendlies against Greece and Ireland in November 2023, and then in March 2024 for two FIFA Series matches against Egypt and Tunisia, but again did not play ahead of incumbent Max Crocombe.[27]

On 18 June 2024, Paulsen finally made his senior international debut, keeping a clean sheet against the Solomon Islands in a 3−0 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup win. Crocombe started all subsequent tournament games as New Zealand eventually claimed the trophy.[28][29]

Personal life

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Paulsen attended St Heliers School and Selwyn College in Auckland, before moving to Scots College in Wellington after joining the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2018.[30]

Paulsen's brother, Adam, represents the New Zealand national futsal team.[31] The brothers played futsal regularly growing up, and Paulsen attributes this as a major influence on his ball-playing ability as a goalkeeper.[8]

Career statistics

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As of match played 1 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2018–19 NZFC 0 0 — — — 0 0
2019–20 0 0 — — — 0 0
2020–21 13 0 — — — 13 0
2022 National League 3 0 — — — 3 0
2023 5 0 — — — 5 0
Total 21 0 — — — 21 0
Wellington United 2018 Central Premier League 2 0 — — — 2 0
Total 2 0 — — — 2 0
Lower Hutt City 2019 Central Premier League 12 0 — — — 12 0
2020 17 0 — — — 17 0
2021 National League 10 0 1 0 — — 11 0
Total 39 0 1 0 — — 40 0
Wellington Phoenix 2021–22 A-League Men 4 0 2 0 — — 6 0
2022–23 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2023–24 29 0 2 0 — — 31 0
Total 33 0 4 0 — — 37 0
Bournemouth 2024–25 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Auckland FC (loan) 2024–25 A-League Men 3 0 — — — 0 0
Career total 98 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 106 0

Honours

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New Zealand

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024: Squad list" (PDF). FIFA. 24 July 2024. p. 11. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Cherries complete signing of goalkeeper Paulsen". AFC Bournemouth. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  3. ^ Ben Grounds (15 July 2021). "Football at Olympics Tokyo 2020: Which Premier League stars are heading to the Games?". SkySports. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  4. ^ Andrew Voerman (2 November 2019). "Fifa Under-17 World Cup: New Zealand stay alive thanks to Alex Paulsen's saves". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Men's Football Team Announced for Paris 2024". New Zealand Football. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Meet the 21yo goalkeeper taking the A-Leagues by storm: 'There will be clubs after him'". 28 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Paulsen Bounces Back at First Opportunity". FIFA. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Match Programme Feature - Alex Paulsen". 4 December 2023.
  9. ^ Ellie (21 March 2021). "Team Wellington crowned 2020/21 ISPS Handa Men's Premiership champions | ISPS Handa". Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Sign Academy Players Ben Old and Alex Paulsen". 13 September 2021.
  11. ^ Rollo, Phillip (19 December 2021). "'Not up to standard': Wellington Phoenix lose third A-League Men game in a row". Stuff.
  12. ^ Rollo, Phillip (6 January 2022). "Alex Paulsen saves the day to send Wellington Phoenix into FFA Cup final four". Stuff. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Glory swoop to bring Sail on board". 9 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Phoenix celebrate recordbreaking A-League season before 'weird' wait for premiership fate". Newshub – via www.newshub.co.nz.
  15. ^ "Barry and Barbarouses crowned players of the year". 30 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Every Isuzu UTE A-League award winner: Johnny Warren Medalist, Goal of the Year & more". 25 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Five Nix named to PFA team of the season". 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ "The $4 million man: Why Premier League club chased Kiwi star". NZ Herald. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Five Nix men named to A-League All Stars". 20 May 2024.
  20. ^ "A-Leagues icon says what everyone is thinking after All Stars demolish Newcastle United". 24 May 2024.
  21. ^ jakerosengarten (8 August 2024). "'Caceres Clause' to be reviewed ahead of 2024-25 A-Leagues Season". A-Leagues. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  22. ^ jakerosengarten (8 August 2024). "Auckland FC sign Alex Paulsen on loan from AFC Bournemouth: Full details". A-Leagues. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Sport: NZ seal seventh OFC U16 title". RNZ. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Stuff".
  25. ^ a b "New Zealand U-23 secure Olympic qualification". 5 October 2019.
  26. ^ "New Zealand Football". www.nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Paulsen one of three Nix called up to the All Whites". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Match".
  29. ^ "All Whites claim Nations Cup". 30 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  31. ^ "Five Things to Know About AFF Flanker Adam Paulsen".
  32. ^ Rollo, Phillip (16 May 2024). "Wellington Phoenix dominate PFA A-League Men team of the season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  33. ^ "A-League All Stars Men lock in final 21-player squad to take on Newcastle United this Friday". A-League Men. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
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