Alex Paulsen
Alexander Paulsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alexander Noah Paulsen July 4, 2002 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Known for | Goalkeeper for Bournemouth and New Zealand national team |
Alexander Noah Paulsen (born 4 July 2002) is a professional footballer from New Zealand who occupies the role of goalkeeper for Premier League side Bournemouth and represents the New Zealand national squad.
Hailing from Auckland, Paulsen became part of Wellington Phoenix in 2018. Initially playing with their reserve squad, he secured his first professional deal in September 2021, mainly acting as the backup goalkeeper. Following an impressive breakthrough season as the primary goalkeeper, Paulsen moved to Bournemouth in June 2024. He has also competed for New Zealand at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
Early life
Born in Auckland to a father from South Africa and a mother from Namibia, Paulsen engaged in futsal during his early years before dedicating himself to football as a goalkeeper at age 13, having previously played outfield positions. His development took place within the youth setup of Onehunga Sports, where he was coached by Hiroshi Miyazawa. At 15, in 2018, he progressed to the Wellington Phoenix academy through their partnership with Onehunga Sports, following in the footsteps of alumni such as Sarpreet Singh and Max Mata.
Early career
Paulsen advanced through Wellington Phoenix’s youth ranks before becoming a frequent substitute for the Reserves during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, although he did not make appearances. Simultaneously, he gained playing time with affiliated clubs Wellington United and Lower Hutt City competing in the Central League. His debut for the reserves came on 14 November 2020 when he started in a 1–0 defeat against Team Wellington. He established himself as a regular starter that season and was honored as league Most Valuable Player despite his team finishing at the bottom of the standings. These performances led to a three-year senior contract alongside fellow reserve standout Ben Old.
At the start of the 2021–22 A-League Men campaign, Paulsen served as backup goalkeeper behind captain Oliver Sail. He made his A-League debut on 19 December 2021 after Sail sustained an injury, coming on as a substitute during a 2–1 loss to Sydney FC. Paulsen retained the starting position throughout Sail’s absence; notably, on 5 January 2022, he made three pivotal saves in a penalty shootout that propelled Wellington Phoenix to their inaugural FFA Cup semifinal appearance. Upon Sail’s recovery, Paulsen returned to a substitute role and did not feature during the subsequent season.
Breakout season
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Sail transferred to Perth Glory. Under new leadership from coach Giancarlo Italiano, Paulsen was promoted to first-choice goalkeeper, playing every minute as Wellington Phoenix achieved their best-ever league position—second place—while recording the fewest goals conceded in club history. His outstanding contributions earned him multiple accolades including Wellington Phoenix Members' Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, and Under–23 Player of the Year awards. Additionally, he received recognition as A-League Men Goalkeeper of the Year and shared the Young Footballer of the Year award alongside Nestory Irankunda, marking a first for any Wellington Phoenix player. Paulsen was also named to the A-League Men Team of the Season, leading vote counts. His performances are widely regarded among the finest by any goalkeeper in A-League history.
On 20 May 2024, Paulsen was chosen for the A-League All Stars squad that faced off against Newcastle United, starting as part of an emphatic 8–0 victory for the All Stars.
Bournemouth
In June 2024, Paulsen committed to a four-year deal with Premier League side AFC Bournemouth for an initial transfer fee of £850,000, which could increase to £2 million based on performance-related clauses.
Loan to Auckland FC
Prior to the 2024–25 A-League Men campaign, the Australian Professional Leagues abolished the Caceres rule, facilitating Paulsen's loan move to their affiliated club Auckland FC. He played every minute throughout the season as Auckland clinched the A-League Premiership in their inaugural year, marking Paulsen's first club-level trophy.
International career
Paulsen received a call-up to the New Zealand U-17 squad in September 2018 for the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship. He featured in three matches and was honored with the Golden Glove award. In the final versus the Solomon Islands, Paulsen made two crucial penalty saves—one during regular time and another in the shootout—helping New Zealand secure their eighth championship and earn qualification for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
At the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Paulsen participated in all three group-stage fixtures. Despite a notable mistake in a 3–0 defeat against Brazil, he recovered to record a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Canada.
At age 17, Paulsen was selected for the New Zealand under-23 team competing in the 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He appeared once as a substitute while New Zealand won the tournament and qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Although named as a traveling reserve for the Olympic squad, he did not feature in any matches; Michael Woud and Jamie Searle were preferred choices.
Paulsen earned his first senior national team call-up in September 2022 for friendlies against Australia but remained unused. Subsequent selections included fixtures against Greece, Ireland (November 2023), and FIFA Series matches against Egypt and Tunisia (March 2024), yet he did not play due to Max Crocombe maintaining the starting role.
On 18 June 2024, Paulsen debuted for New Zealand’s senior side, keeping a clean sheet in a 3−0 win over Solomon Islands during the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup. Crocombe resumed starting duties in later matches as New Zealand ultimately secured the championship.
Personal life
Paulsen's education began at St Heliers School and Selwyn College before transferring to Scots College following his entry into the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2018.
His brother Adam represents the New Zealand national futsal team. The siblings frequently played futsal during their youth, a factor Paulsen credits with improving his ball-handling abilities as a goalkeeper.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2018–19 | Premiership | 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 League | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Lower Hutt City | 2019 | Central 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 | 26 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 106 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 0 | ||
Honours
Auckland FC
New Zealand
- OFC U-16 Championship: 2018
- OFC Nations Cup: 2024
Individual
- A-League Men Player of the Month: March 2024, October/November 2023
- PFA A-League Team of the Season: 2023–24
- Harry Kewell Medal: 2023–24
- A-League Goalkeeper of the Year: 2023–24
- A-Leagues All Stars: 2024