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Sport Nation
Star goalkeeper Paulsen parts ways with Auckland FC
Sport Nation • June 13th, 2025 9:00 am
Photo: Morgan Hancock/AAP
Auckland FC are farewelling one of their biggest stars, with goalkeeper Alex Paulsen returning from his loan spell to Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.
The All White played every minute of every match for the Black Knights and was one of driving forces behind the team's phenomenal maiden A-League season, which saw them win the Premiers Plate and advance to the brink of the Grand Final.
The 22-year-old was named the A-League's Goalkeeper of the Year, recording a mammoth 13 clean sheets and, for the second-year running, was voted captain of the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) team of the year.
"It has been a wild 12 months, better than I could ever have dreamed of," says Paulsen.
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"I've had an incredible experience and grateful to all the fans, my teammates and coaches and staff that have supported me. They have really helped me develop as a player and a man."
Coach Steve Corica paid tribute to Paulsen's immense contribution to the Auckland club.
“Alex is a fantastic player and a true professional,” says head coach Steve Corica.
“He made a huge impression on us, his teammates and the city. He’ll be missed but he leaves us after a highly successful season and one I’m sure he will look back on fondly.
“All season he has performed; he is a great shot-stopper, commanding in his area, a fantastic influence in the dressing room and at 22 he has a very bright future ahead of him.
"We all wish him the best for the future, and we will be closely following his career."
Bournemouth - who finished ninth in the Premier League standings last season - said they'd been keeping a keen eye on the Kiwi's progress.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Alex back to England," says Tiago Pinto, President of Football Operations at AFC Bournemouth.
"His individual achievements, as well as those achieved by Auckland in their inaugural season in the A League, are something to be proud of.
“We’re excited to work with Alex when he returns to Bournemouth in July and would like to extend our thanks to Auckland for their key role in his development.”
