Experienced goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis returns to A-League to join Brisbane Roar
Bouzanis, 34, is back in Australia after a five-year stint in the UK that included spells with Sutton United, Reading, Stevenage and Charlton.
The 2024-25 campaign proved to be the toughest for Bouzanis, who made just one appearance for the entire season while on loan to Stevenage from Reading.
In February, he parted ways with Reading via mutual consent to sign a short-term deal with League One (third-tier) club Charlton, where he warmed the bench during his two-month stint.
'Last (season) was a bit difficult for myself due to circumstances out of my control, but playing in England, I've learnt a lot,' Bouzanis said on Monday after his first Roar training session.
'I've played a lot of games over there. It's cut-throat, it's an industry where you have to win, there are no excuses, so I feel I can bring my experiences that I've learnt over there back to the A-League.'
Bouzanis, who also had two previous spells in the UK and was once on the books of Liverpool, had made the decision in 2020 to return to Britain – following a stint with Melbourne City – to be with his then partner, current Matildas captain Steph Catley.
The pair later become engaged but the relationship ended last year.
Bouzanis would not comment on the split, instead preferring to focus on what he wanted to achieve with the Roar.
'I'll just let my football do the talking.' he said.
'I've played a lot of games overseas. I've come back, I want to enjoy my football, I want to do the best I can and give everything I can.
'For me it's about coming into work every day with a smile on my face, and doing the best I can in order to perform at the highest level.
'I'm coming back not just to settle, but I want to win.'
Sydney-born Bouzanis will take over as Brisbane's first-choice goalkeeper from Matt Acton, who wasn't offered a new deal by the club despite impressing during the latter stages of last season.
Macklin Freke, who has another season to run on his Brisbane contract, will be Bouzanis' deputy.
Bouzanis, a former Australian under-20 and under-23 representative, has been reunited in Brisbane with new Roar coach, former Melbourne City mentor Michael Valkanis.
'He's a very detailed coach, and has very high standards. He won't shy away from it. He knows what he wants, he plays an attacking style of football, and an aggressive style of football that's exciting to watch,' Bouzanis said of Valkanis.
'It's a lot of hard work, but it's an enjoyable style of play.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
McDonald says it's too early to judge whether Konstas will make it at Test level
St George's: Australian coach Andrew McDonald says selectors remain committed to Sam Konstas, despite the young batter's modest returns in the early stages of his Test career. After scores of 3, 5, 25 and 0 in Australia's two Test victories over the West Indies in the Caribbean, things will get even more challenging for the 19-year-old in a pink ball day-night fixture in Jamaica starting Saturday (Sunday morning AEST). From four Tests, Konstas has made 146 runs at an average of 18.25. His first-class average is 31.66. McDonald said the sample size was too small to form definitive judgments on the teenager's long-term prospects and praised his efforts to be more proactive at the crease during the second Test in Grenada. 'Four games, eight innings - it's probably early for anyone to judge really,' McDonald said. 'I think the challenges in Test cricket aren't necessarily always a skill level or your technique. It's dealing with the moments, the pressure, all the other things that externally come with that as well. He's a player finding his feet in the environment. Do we think he's good enough? Yes, we do. '[It was] a small step forward in the last game with that first innings. His first 20-odd balls [in the first innings] he had positive intent. He was moving a lot better compared to the game before, where it looked like he was stuck in the middle and didn't know whether to play a shot ... either ultra-aggressive or ultra-defensive. 'I'm not going to say it's a huge step forward, but it was a small step forward last Test match, and we look forward to him growing as a player in this environment.' McDonald indicated Australia would likely stick with the same XI in Kingston for what is now a dead rubber, with the series already wrapped up.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Dennis Rodman's daughter Trinity steals the show at Wimbledon
Food writer, TV presenter and chef Mary Berry with her husband Paul in the box. Photo: AP Photo/Kin Cheung Cricket legend Andrew Strauss and athlete Dame Denise Lewis. Photo byMichael McIntyre (L), British comedian and actor Lenny Henry (R) and his spouse Lisa Makin have a laugh. Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP Mother of Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales Carole Middleton enjoying the Royal Box. Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP Cricket legend Brian Lara. Photo: AP Photo/Alastair Grant Adventurer Bear Grylls was also spotted. Photo byBritish former football player Geoff Hurst. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP Irish former rugby player Brian O'Driscoll waves to the crowd. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP Frederik, King of Denmark, watches from the Royal Box. Photo byCricket legend Sir Ian Botham and his wife Kathy. Photo: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth Former tennis player Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker applaud from the Royal Box. Photo byThe former world No. 1 and three-time Wimbledon finalist waves to the crowd. Photo byGia Milinovich and Professor Brian Cox. Photo byAstronaut Tim Peake. Photo: AP Photo/Kin Cheung Former English rugby union player and coach Sir Clive Woodward and his wife Jayne sit in the Royal Box. Photo: AP Photo/Alastair Grant Former lead singer of The Undertones Feargal Sharkey takes a photo from the Royal Box. Photo: AP Photo/Alastair Grant Broadcaster and author Richard Osman. Photo: AP Photo/Alastair Grant Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson arrive earlier in the tournament. Photo byFormer England football coach Sir Gareth Southgate. Photo byThe mother of Andy Murray, Judy, was seen in the Royal Box earlier in the tournament. Photo byHarry Potter and The White Lotus actor Jason Isaacs. Photo by
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
McDonald says it's too early to judge whether Konstas will make it at Test level
St George's: Australian coach Andrew McDonald says selectors remain committed to Sam Konstas, despite the young batter's modest returns in the early stages of his Test career. After scores of 3, 5, 25 and 0 in Australia's two Test victories over the West Indies in the Caribbean, things will get even more challenging for the 19-year-old in a pink ball day-night fixture in Jamaica starting Saturday (Sunday morning AEST). From four Tests, Konstas has made 146 runs at an average of 18.25. His first-class average is 31.66. McDonald said the sample size was too small to form definitive judgments on the teenager's long-term prospects and praised his efforts to be more proactive at the crease during the second Test in Grenada. 'Four games, eight innings - it's probably early for anyone to judge really,' McDonald said. 'I think the challenges in Test cricket aren't necessarily always a skill level or your technique. It's dealing with the moments, the pressure, all the other things that externally come with that as well. He's a player finding his feet in the environment. Do we think he's good enough? Yes, we do. '[It was] a small step forward in the last game with that first innings. His first 20-odd balls [in the first innings] he had positive intent. He was moving a lot better compared to the game before, where it looked like he was stuck in the middle and didn't know whether to play a shot ... either ultra-aggressive or ultra-defensive. 'I'm not going to say it's a huge step forward, but it was a small step forward last Test match, and we look forward to him growing as a player in this environment.' McDonald indicated Australia would likely stick with the same XI in Kingston for what is now a dead rubber, with the series already wrapped up.
