Alex Paulsen

#40 ALEX PAULSEN BIO – DOB 4/7/02

Alex Paulsen joined the first team on a three-year pro contract in 2021 after being named the most valuable player in the 2020-21 national league while playing for the club’s reserves.

The young goalkeeper first made a name for himself at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil in 2019, starring in New Zealand’s 1-0 win over Canada.

Paulsen was already with the Phoenix academy by this stage, but it wasn’t until the 2020-21 season that he became the regular no. 1 for the reserves, starting all but one of their league matches in his MVP season.

He then went to start the first 10 matches of their matches in the 2021 Central League season before being named as a travelling reserve for New Zealand’s Olympic squad in Japan.

Paulsen made his A-League debut just five matches into his maiden season, after Oli Sail sustained an injury in the first half of the Phoenix’s game against Sydney FC.

He deputised for a further two league matches, but it was in the FFA Cup where Paulsen made headlines.

He was the hero of the Phoenix’s quarter-final against reigning A-League champions Melbourne City, making three saves in the shoot-out.

> 2022-23 season

Alex Paulsen didn’t feature for the Phoenix in the 2022 Australia Cup or 2022-23 A-League, having to bide his time on the bench behind no. 1 ‘keeper Oli Sail.

Paulsen was also the back-up to Sail with the All Whites and was an unused substitute in their two internationals against the Socceroos in September.

He started three of the reserves’ matches in the 2022 National League, including their wins over Cashmere Technical and Birkenhead United in November.

Paulsen was named in the New Zealand U-22 team for their two matches against China’s U-24 team in March 2023 and he kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win in the opening game at Mt Smart Stadium.

He was also on the bench for the All Whites’ second match against China in Wellington.