Former Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has completed a shock move back to New Zealand shores, signing with new A-League club Auckland FC.
Paulsen, 22, signed for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League in June but has been sent on loan from the English club back to the A-League.
The young Kiwi’s transfer will be under review from the APL as A-League clubs are unable to buy and sell players between clubs. The ‘Caceres clause’ doesn’t allow for sister clubs to loan back players to clubs in the same league within two transfer windows.
Paulsen’s participation in the A-League is subject to approval of amendments to the A-League Player Contract Regulations by Football Australia.
All the A-Leagues clubs supported a move to review the ‘Caceres Clause’ ahead of the 2024-25 season after the APL were approached by a number of clubs in May.
Bournemouth FC are a sister club to Auckland FC as the clubs are both owned by American businessman Bill Foley.
Whatever the final decision from the A-League, the move will ruffle feathers in Wellington.
In a statement, the Phoenix's general manager David Dome said the club was "seeking further information" about the loan move.
"While the club in principle supports adapting the 'Caceres Clause' to allow Paulsen to return to the Isuzu UTE A-League for the 2024-25 season, it has a number of questions that have yet to be answered.
"Most importantly we don’t know what “player registration and salary cap treatment guardrails” will be in place that Australian Professional Leagues (APL) say will “balance development of the A-League while ensuring competition integrity”.
"We also note all player contract regulations and competition policies have yet to be approved by Football Australia."
Paulsen signed a four-year deal with the ‘Cherries’ and his move was one of the biggest Kiwi football transfers in history, reportedly worth $4 million.
"I'm obviously going to hold the Wellington Phoenix close to my heart, I love them to bits but at the same time I'm here to play and that's my job," said Paulsen.
Paulsen grew up in Auckland and played for Onehunga Sports before moving to the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2018.
“Auckland is my home, and I haven’t had many opportunities to play in my city and in front of my friends and family. I’m really excited by the opportunity to return to my hometown and continue to develop as a player.
“There is so much excitement around the club and what we’re building here. I’ve only been home for a few days and I’ve seen people walking around in the new home strip and you can feel the energy around the club and the city.”
In his breakthrough season last year, Paulsen played every minute of the Wellington Phoenix's campaign, keeping 12 clean sheets in 27 league matches and saving three penalties.
The one-cap All White was awarded A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Footballer of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year for his efforts in the 2023-24 A-League season.
Back in June when Paulsen signed for Bournemouth he told 1News: "I felt the intention with Bournemouth was more appealing for me … the four-year deal shows they care for me and want me to develop as much as I can.”
Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker said: “Alex is one of only two current New Zealanders signed to a Premier League club and it’s perfectly normal for a young keeper at Alex’s level to go out on loan. The benefit for Paulsen and the A-leagues is we can bring him back home to play his loan period in Auckland."
Becker said the 'Caceres Clause' should not impact the transfer and believes it will be removed, despite still being under review.
"Every single club agreed that it's not the right rule for us where we are right now, and it's going to be taken out. So it was a collective agreement, we just seem to be the lucky ones who get to benefit from it first."
Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica said Paulsen has already bought into the style of football his team wants to play.
“He is athletic, a strong shot-stopper and a commanding presence on crosses. He has also demonstrated superb anticipation and is comfortable playing out from the back off both feet. I am delighted he has decided to join us,” said Corica.
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