The little-known rule that would prevent Alex Paulsen playing for Auckland FC
Tuesday, 4 June 2024
Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen is set to join English Premier League club Bournemouth from Wellington Phoenix for a reported $4 million.
Bournemouth are owned by American billionaire Bill Foley, the owner of the new Auckland A-League club.
Current A-League rules prevent overseas clubs signing players and loaning them to ‘sister clubs’.
Fear not, Wellington Phoenix fans.
It’s unlikely that star shotstopper Alex Paulsen will be seen playing for Auckland FC any time soon, as current A-League rules won’t allow it.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper is on the verge of completing a dream move to the English Premier League after the Phoenix accepted an offer from AFC Bournemouth worth a reported $4 million – the same Bournemouth owned by Auckland owner Bill Foley.
When news of Paulsen’s imminent move first broke in England, the reaction in Wellington was mixed.
It is a dream deal for one of New Zealand's brightest young talents, and the record transfer will provide a welcome boost to the Phoenix’s coffers at a time when the entire A-League is struggling financially.
But some Phoenix supporters feared Paulsen could end up playing against them next season, for new rivals Auckland.
There is a good chance he will be sent out on a loan to continue his development before he is ready to play in the EPL.
Auckland would be a logical destination given they are also part of Foley’s Black Knight Football Club stable and it’s Paulsen’s hometown.
Auckland would no doubt love to have a goalkeeper of Paulsen’s quality.
However, such a move would not be possible under current regulations.
In 2016, the A-League brought in a rule known as the Caceres Rule after Melbourne City exploited a loophole to buy Australian midfielder Anthony Caceres from Central Coast Mariners.
Melbourne City’s parent club Manchester City paid the transfer fee to sign Caceres, only to loan him straight to Melbourne.
Caceres never took the field for Manchester City.
His first game for Melbourne City came against the Phoenix and then-coach Ernie Merrick labelled the move as “farcical”.
As A-League clubs are not able to buy and sell players amongst themselves, teams like Melbourne City and Auckland FC could cheat the system if Manchester City or Bournemouth pay for the transfer fee.
The Caceres Rule was designed to prevent cashed-up overseas clubs buying players and loaning them to sister clubs within two transfer windows.
“I find that whole situation strange, we're trying to link up with Chelsea now and hope that Chelsea sign a few players and then put them out on loan to us for $5 a week,” Merrick said in 2016.
“It's getting farcical really, that's for the FFA [Football Federation Australia] to deal with, I can't think of anything more ridiculous and what a surprise that was.”
The Australian Professional Leagues has confirmed to Stuff the rule was still in place during the 2023-24 A-League Men season.
All regulations are reviewed before the next season commences but unless the Caceres Rule is relaxed, there is no chance Paulsen will be loaned to Auckland.
When Auckland announced their latest batch of signings on Tuesday, All Whites Tommy Smith and Max Mata, chief executive Nick Becker told reporters that they would not be answering any questions related to Alex Paulsen’s reported move to Bournemouth as he felt it was not their place to comment on a deal they were not involved in.
Auckland have already locked in one goalkeeper for next season, All White Michael Woud, but are still on the hunt for a second.
The fact that Auckland are not directly involved only makes Paulsen’s move to Bournemouth even more remarkable.
The New Zealand age-group international experienced a breakout season in his first season as a starter in the A-League, saving three penalties and keeping 12 clean sheets to lead the Phoenix through to their highest-ever finish and a spot in the semifinals.
Paulsen was named goalkeeper of the year, was the joint winner of the young player of the year and included in the PFA team of the season.
Paulsen’s deal is expected to be made official in the coming days.
While it’s a player from the Phoenix making the jump to Bournemouth on this occasion, Smith believed Auckland’s relationship with the Premier League would make the Black Knights an attractive destination for young New Zealanders.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” Smith said. “It’s a big draw for players who want to come and play for Auckland, with that pathway they will have whether it be to Bournemouth or the other teams within Bill Foley’s ownership group.”