Bournemouth’s first summer signing looking forward to EPL journey

Bournemouth’s first signing of the summer, goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, says he is open to whatever plans manager Andoni Iraola has for him in the Cherries’ team next season.

Alex Paulsen was signed from Australian side Wellington Phoenix for an initial £850,000 becoming the Cherries’ first signing of the summer.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper has also made his national team debut for New Zealand. His addition to the team is a welcome development for a team that has lost three goalkeepers already.

Andrei Radu, Darren Randolph, and Cameron Plain have all departed the Vitality stadium, while Will Dennis has returned to the team from a loan spell at Kilmarnock. Meanwhile, Neto and Mark Travers are still contracted to the club, including teenager Callan McKenna, who joined the club from Queen’s Park earlier this year.

The goalkeeper is signed to the club on a four-year contract, which he says is a testament to Bournemouth’s plans for him on his path to becoming a Premier League mainstay.

“Whether I start in the reserves or go out on loan, I’m up for those pathways. That hasn’t been finalised yet – we are still discussing it. It (a Premier League contract) was always a dream, but I didn’t realise it could come this quickly.” Paulsen said.

He highlighted that beyond Bournemouth, Premier League big boys Liverpool and Chelsea were interested in his signature, as well as others stating that he gets updated on clubs that are interested in him, saying he just tries to focus on football.

Paulsen will have to wait for his Bournemouth debut not only because there are options ahead of him but also because he will be playing at the Paris Olympics this summer with his New Zealand Olympics soccer team.

Bournemouth had their best season ever in the Premier League last season, and they will kick off the new season with a fixture away at Nottingham Forest.