A goalkeeper for the Wellington Phoenix, is ascending to new heights in football.
According to the Herald, Alex Paulsen has signed a contract with English Premier League team AFC Bournemouth, who have been watching the 21-year-old for quite some time.
The Phoenix confirmed the trade today. It is the largest outgoing transfer in Phoenix history, surpassing Sarpreet Singh’s move to German powerhouse Bayern Munich in 2019.
“I’m humbled to be considered worthy of signing with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League,” Paulsen told the press.
“It means everything to me, my family, and my friends to be offered the opportunity to play in the world’s top league, something that other aspiring young footballers can only dream about.
“Sarpreet, Libby Cacace and Ben Waine have laid the stepping stones for young New Zealand footballers like myself to dream big and be like ‘the world is our oyster’.”
It is also reported that advanced negotiations have taken place with another team, as well as interest from at least two other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. Negotiations ended a few days before Paulsen made his final decision.
The All Whites custodian has had a fantastic few weeks following his breakout A-League season, in which he played an important role in the Phoenix’s historic second-place regular-season finish. It is reported that the Wellington club received requests from Chelsea, as well as conversations with a Belgian club.
While his talent is clear, Paulsen is viewed as a long-term investment, as goalkeepers do not typically peak until their late twenties and can play well into their 30s. According to Sky Sports UK, Bournemouth’s bid was about £850,000 ($1.77 million), but could have gone up to £2 million depending on performances and appearances. The contract is believed to be for three years.
While the Phoenix lose a crucial player, it is still a significant win for the team, since it is the largest trade in Phoenix history. Nathan Burns’ 2015 move to FC Tokyo was lucrative for the Wellington club, but it was surpassed by Bayern Munich’s 2019 purchase of Sarpreet Singh for between $800,000 and $1 million. In 2020, Belgian team Sint-Truidense paid about $750,000 for Liberato Cacace, who has since joined Serie A club Empoli.
Paulsen had to wait behind Oli Sail and did not make a single league appearance in the 2022-2023 season before breaking through in the most recent season. He preserved 12 clean sheets and was part of a defensive unit that conceded only 26 goals during the regular season, the fewest in the tournament.
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