Alex Paulsen

Wellington Phoenix

Early career

After progressing through the Wellington Phoenix age-grade sides, Paulsen was regularly named as a substitute for Wellington Phoenix Reserves throughout the 2018–19 and 2019–20 New Zealand Football Championship seasons, but did not make an appearance. During this time, Paulsen played for Wellington Phoenix affiliate clubs Wellington United and Lower Hutt City in the Central League. On 14 November 2020, Paulsen finally made his reserves debut, starting in a 1–0 loss to Team Wellington in the opening game of the 2020–21 season. Paulsen remained a consistent starter throughout the season, and despite the team finishing last, Paulsen was named the league's Most Valuable Player. His performances for the reserves culminated in his first professional contract, signing for the senior team on a three-year deal alongside fellow reserve standout Ben Old. Paulsen entered the 2021–22 A-League Men season as second-choice goalkeeper behind club captain Oliver Sail. On 19 December 2021, following an injury to Sail, Paulsen made his A-League debut as a substitute in a 2–1 loss against Sydney FC. Paulsen would remain starter in Sail's absence; in an FFA Cup quarterfinal match against Melbourne City on 5 January 2022, Paulsen made three saves in a 0–0 (4–3) penalty shootout extra time win to secure the Phoenix's maiden semifinal appearance in the competition. Upon Sail's return from injury, however, Paulsen returned to a bench role, and he…

In September 2018, Paulsen was called up for New Zealand to compete in the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship. Paulsen made three competition appearances, and was presented the Golden Glove award. In the final against the Solomon Islands, Paulsen saved two penalties – one in regular time, one in the penalty shootout – as New Zealand prevailed to win their eighth title, qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the process. Paulsen played in all three of New Zealand's games in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, being eliminated in the group stage. Despite making a high-profile error in a 3–0 loss to Brazil, Paulsen recovered to keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Canada. Aged just 17, Paulsen was called up by Des Buckingham to the New Zealand under-23 squad for the 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Paulsen made one appearance, as a late substitute in a 6–1 win over Samoa, as New Zealand won the title and qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Danny Hay named Paulsen as a traveling reserve for the tournament, with Michael Woud and Jamie Searle preferred in the main squad; Paulsen did not make an appearance as New Zealand reached the quarter-finals. In September 2022, Paulsen was first called up to the senior national team for a two-game friendly series against Australia, but did not play in either match. He was later called up for friendlies against Greece and Ireland in November 2023, and then in March 2024 for two FIFA Series matches against Egypt and Tunisia, but…

Paulsen was born in Auckland to a South African father and Namibian mother. He played futsal throughout his childhood, and only committed to playing football as a goalkeeper at the age of 13 after beginning as an outfielder. Paulsen initially played in the youth ranks of Eastern Suburbs and then Onehunga Sports under the tutelage of noted youth development coach Hiroshi Miyazawa. In 2018, aged 15, Paulsen moved to Wellington to join the Wellington Phoenix academy through their affiliation with Onehunga Sports, following in the footsteps of fellow graduates Sarpreet Singh and Max Mata.

Paulsen attended St Heliers School and Selwyn College in Auckland, before moving to Scots College in Wellington after joining the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2018. Paulsen's brother, Adam, represents the New Zealand national futsal team. The brothers played futsal regularly growing up, and Paulsen attributes this as a major influence on his ball-playing ability as a goalkeeper.