Auckland FC goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has been named as the PFA (Professional Footballers Australia) young men's footballer of the year for his breakout season for the Wellington Phoenix.
The All White made a strong claim for the acolade off the back of a historic campaign with the Phoenix last season, and beat some talented Australian youngters such as Nestory Irankunda and Jordan Bos, to become the third Kiwi to win the award.
The player-voted award considers the performances of professionals playing in the A League, as well as Australian players based overseas between June 2023 and June 2024, who are under the age of 23.
Paulsen was also named 2023-24 A-League men's goalkeeper of the year and was also named captain of the PFA's A League team of the season.
"I'm proud to receive such a prestigious award," Paulsen said. "Only two Kiwis have won this award (previously) so to be up in that bracket is amazing and I'm really proud of receiving such an accolade."
Paulsen joins Marco Rojas (2013) and Liberato Cacace (2020) as the only Kiwis to win the player-voted Harry Kewell Medal.
"It means more to be voted by my peers and my teammates. I feel very honoured to receive this award.
"Twelve months ago, I wasn't really — with regards to Wellington Phoenix — in the picture to be considered the No.1, and to be given an opportunity by 'Chiefy' (Italiano) to be involved with the Wellington Phoenix and to be the No.1 was fantastic."
The 22-year-old made 31 appearances for the Phoenix last season and achieved 11 clean sheets alongside three penalty saves.
Paulsen also becomes just the third goalkeeper to win the award.
The young Kiwi earned a move to AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League but has since completed a loan move back to the A League to represent his hometown club of Auckland FC in their inaugural season.
Manchester City's Mary Fowler was named the PFA young women's footballer of the year.
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