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Alex Paulsen

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Alex Paulsen
Paulsen playing for theWellington Phoenixin 2024
Personal information
Full name Alexander Noah Paulsen[1]
Date of birth (2002-07-04)4 July 2002(age 22)
Place of birth Auckland,New Zealand
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Bournemouth
Number 40
Youth career
0000–2017 Onehunga Sports
2018 Wellington Phoenix
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2023 Wellington Phoenix Reserves 21 (0)
2018 →Wellington United 2 (0)
2019–2021 →Lower Hutt City 39 (0)
2021–2024 Wellington Phoenix 33 (0)
2024– Bournemouth 0 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 New Zealand U-17 8 (0)
2019– New Zealand U-23 4 (0)
2024– New Zealand 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 June 2024

Alexander Noah Paulsen(born 4 July 2002) is a New Zealandfootballerwho plays as agoalkeeperforPremier LeagueclubBournemouthand theNew Zealandnational team.

Born in Auckland, Paulsen joined theWellington Phoenixin 2018. Initially playing for theirreserve team,Paulsen signed his first professional deal in September 2021 and largely served as second-choice goalkeeper. Following a standoutdebut seasonas starting goalkeeper, Paulsen signed for Bournemouth in June 2024.[2]Paulsen was part of the New Zealand team in thefootball competitionat the2020 Summer Olympics.[3][4]

Early life[edit]

Paulsen was born inAucklandto a South African father and Namibian mother.[5][6]He playedfutsalthroughout his childhood, and only committed to playing football as a goalkeeper at the age of 13 after beginning as an outfielder.[7]Paulsen initially played in the youth ranks ofOnehunga Sportsunder the tutelage of noted youth development coachHiroshi Miyazawa.In 2018, aged 15, Paulsen moved to Wellington to join theWellington Phoenixacademy through their affiliation with Onehunga Sports, following in the footsteps of fellow graduatesSarpreet SinghandMax Mata.[7]

Club career[edit]

Wellington Phoenix[edit]

Early career[edit]

After progressing through the Wellington Phoenix age-grade sides, Paulsen was regularly named as a substitute forWellington Phoenix Reservesthroughout the2018–19and2019–20New Zealand Football Championshipseasons, but did not make an appearance. During this time, Paulsen played for Wellington Phoenix affiliate clubsWellington UnitedandLower Hutt Cityin theCentral League.On 14 November 2020, Paulsen finally made his reserves debut, starting in a 1–0 loss toTeam Wellingtonin the opening game of the2020–21season. Paulsen remained a consistent starter throughout the season, and despite the team finishing last, Paulsen was named the league's Most Valuable Player.[8]His performances for the reserves culminated in his first professional contract, signing for the senior team on a three-year deal alongside fellow reserve standoutBen Old.[9]

Paulsen entered the2021–22 A-League Menseason as second-choice goalkeeper behind club captainOliver Sail.On 19 December 2021, following an injury to Sail, Paulsen made his A-League debut as a substitute in a 2–1 loss againstSydney FC.[10]Paulsen would remain starter in Sail's absence; in anFFA Cupquarterfinal match againstMelbourne Cityon 5 January 2022, Paulsen made three saves in a 0–0 (4–3)penalty shootoutextra timewin to secure the Phoenix's maiden semifinal appearance in the competition.[11]Upon Sail's return from injury, however, Paulsen returned to a bench role, and he did not make an appearancethe following season.

Breakout season[edit]

Sail departed the club to sign withPerth Gloryprior to the start of the2023–24 season.[12]Paulsen became starting goalkeeper under new head coachGiancarlo 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.[13]Paulsen was named the Wellington Phoenix Members' Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Under–23 Player of the Year.[14]He was namedA-League Men Goalkeeper of the Year,and shared theYoung Footballer of the Yearaward withNestory Irankunda;this marked the first ever time a Wellington Phoenix player had won the award.[15]He was also named in theA-League Men Team of the Season,receiving the most votes out of any player.[16]Paulsen's season has since been noted as among the best of any A-League goalkeeper in history.[17]

On 20 May 2024, Paulsen was called up to theA-League All Starsfor a friendly match againstNewcastle United;Paulsen startedthe matchas the All Stars won 8–0.[18][19]

Bournemouth[edit]

In June 2024, Paulsen signed forPremier LeagueclubAFC Bournemouthfor a reported initial fee of £850,000, rising up to £2 million[2]on a 4 year contract.

International career[edit]

In September 2018, Paulsen was called up forNew Zealandto compete in the2018 OFC U-16 Championship.Paulsen made three competition appearances, and was presented the Golden Glove award. In the final against theSolomon 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 the2019 FIFA U-17 World Cupin the process.[20]

Paulsen played in all three of New Zealand's games in the2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup,being eliminated in the group stage. Despite making a high-profile error in a 3–0 loss toBrazil,Paulsen recovered to keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 win overCanada.[21]

Aged just 17, Paulsen was called up byDes Buckinghamto theNew Zealand under-23squad for the2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.Paulsen made one appearance, as a late substitute in a 6–1 win overSamoa,as New Zealand won the title and qualified for the2020 Summer Olympics.[22]Danny Haynamed Paulsen as a traveling reserve for the tournament, withMichael WoudandJamie Searlepreferred in the main squad; Paulsen did not make an appearance as New Zealand reached the quarter-finals.[23]

In September 2022, Paulsen was first called up to thesenior national teamfor a two-game friendly series againstAustralia,but did not play in either match.[24]He was later called up for friendlies againstGreeceandIrelandin November 2023, and then in March 2024 for twoFIFA Seriesmatches againstEgyptandTunisia,but again did not play ahead of incumbentMax Crocombe.[25]

On 18 June 2024, Paulsen finally made his senior international debut, keeping a clean sheet against theSolomon Islandsin a 3−02024 OFC Men's Nations Cupwin. Crocombe started all subsequent tournament games as New Zealand eventually claimed the trophy.[26][27]

Personal life[edit]

Paulsen attendedSelwyn Collegein Auckland and, upon joining the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2018, moved toScots Collegein Wellington.[28]

Paulsen's brother, Adam, represents theNew Zealand national futsal team.[29]The brothers playedfutsalregularly growing up, and Paulsen attributes this as a major influence on his ball-playing ability as a goalkeeper.[7]

Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 18 May 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
Career total 95 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 103 0

Honours[edit]

New Zealand

Individual

References[edit]

  1. ^"Olympedia – Alex Paulsen".www.olympedia.org.
  2. ^ab"Cherries complete signing of goalkeeper Paulsen".AFC Bournemouth.4 June 2024.Retrieved4 June2024.
  3. ^Ben Grounds (15 July 2021)."Football at Olympics Tokyo 2020: Which Premier League stars are heading to the Games?".SkySports.Retrieved17 July2021.
  4. ^Andrew Voerman (2 November 2019)."Fifa Under-17 World Cup: New Zealand stay alive thanks to Alex Paulsen's saves".Stuff.co.nz.Retrieved18 July2021.
  5. ^"Meet the 21yo goalkeeper taking the A-Leagues by storm: 'There will be clubs after him'".28 November 2023.
  6. ^"Paulsen Bounces Back at First Opportunity".FIFA. 2 November 2019.Retrieved18 July2021.
  7. ^abc"Match Programme Feature - Alex Paulsen".4 December 2023.
  8. ^Ellie (21 March 2021)."Team Wellington crowned 2020/21 ISPS Handa Men's Premiership champions | ISPS Handa".Retrieved19 June2024.
  9. ^"Wellington Phoenix Sign Academy Players Ben Old and Alex Paulsen".13 September 2021.
  10. ^Rollo, Phillip (19 December 2021)."'Not up to standard': Wellington Phoenix lose third A-League Men game in a row ".Stuff.
  11. ^Rollo, Phillip (6 January 2022)."Alex Paulsen saves the day to send Wellington Phoenix into FFA Cup final four".Stuff.Retrieved6 January2022.
  12. ^"Glory swoop to bring Sail on board".9 March 2023.
  13. ^"Phoenix celebrate recordbreaking A-League season before 'weird' wait for premiership fate"– via www.newshub.co.nz.
  14. ^"Barry and Barbarouses crowned players of the year".30 April 2024.
  15. ^"Every Isuzu UTE A-League award winner: Johnny Warren Medalist, Goal of the Year & more".25 May 2024.
  16. ^"Five Nix named to PFA team of the season".16 May 2024.
  17. ^"The $4 million man: Why Premier League club chased Kiwi star".NZ Herald.19 June 2024.Retrieved19 June2024.
  18. ^"Five Nix men named to A-League All Stars".20 May 2024.
  19. ^"A-Leagues icon says what everyone is thinking after All Stars demolish Newcastle United".24 May 2024.
  20. ^"Sport: NZ seal seventh OFC U16 title".RNZ.24 September 2018.Retrieved19 June2024.
  21. ^https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/301039178/keeper-calm-and-carrying-on-how-alex-paulsen-bounced-back-from-unfortunate-error
  22. ^https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-u-23-secure-olympic-qualification/
  23. ^https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-u-23-secure-olympic-qualification/
  24. ^"New Zealand Football".www.nzfootball.co.nz.Retrieved19 June2024.
  25. ^"Paulsen one of three Nix called up to the All Whites".Wellington Phoenix.6 November 2023.Retrieved19 June2024.
  26. ^https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024-group-a-2700242489/new-zealand-solomon-islands-2701555571/
  27. ^https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/all-whites/all-whites-v-vanuatu-live-updates-from-the-oceania-nations-cup-final/SVBR3KJDBZFKJNF2RPBEA6EMVA/
  28. ^"Facebook".www.facebook.com.
  29. ^"Five Things to Know About AFF Flanker Adam Paulsen".
  30. ^Rollo, Phillip (16 May 2024)."Wellington Phoenix dominate PFA A-League Men team of the season".Stuff.co.nz.Retrieved17 May2024.
  31. ^"A-League All Stars Men lock in final 21-player squad to take on Newcastle United this Friday".A-League Men.20 May 2024.Retrieved24 May2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alex_Paulsen&oldid=1234903852"