Dean Bouzanis

Dean Anthony Bouzanis (born 2 October 1990) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Sutton United.

Dean Bouzanis
Bouzanis warming up for the Olyroos in 2011
Personal information
Full name Dean Anthony Bouzanis[1]
Date of birth (1990-10-02) 2 October 1990
Place of birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) [2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Sutton United
Number 1
Youth career
Lilli Pilli FC
Carss Park
Sutherland Sharks
Northern Spirit
Sydney Olympic
2006–2007 NSWIS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2011 Liverpool 0 (0)
2007 → Sydney FC (loan) 0 (0)
2009–2010 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 14 (0)
2011–2013 Oldham Athletic 45 (0)
2013 Aris FC 1 (0)
2014 Carlisle United 0 (0)
2014–2016 Western Sydney Wanderers 6 (0)
2016–2020 Melbourne City 57 (0)
2018–2019 → PEC Zwolle (loan) 0 (0)
2020– Sutton United 16 (0)
National team‡
2005–2006 Australia U17 8 (0)
2008 Greece U19 3 (0)
2009 Australia U20 3 (0)
2008–2011 Australia U23 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:42, 30 January 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 June 2011

He played junior football in Australia before joining English side Liverpool as a youth player, where he appeared for the Under 18 and reserves sides. After a loan move to Accrington Stanley he joined Oldham Athletic, before brief stays at Aris FC and Carlisle United. In 2014, he returned to Australia to play for the Wanderers in the A-League.

He has been capped by both Australia and Greece at youth level.

Club career

Early career

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Bouzanis was raised in Australia to Greek parents, and attended De La Salle College in Cronulla.[3] His talents were first seen at his local soccer club, Lilli Pilli FC, whilst playing in the Under 6's, before moving to Carrs Park FC, alongside close friend Nikolas Tsattalios.[4] Bouzanis then went on to play in the NSW State League for St George Saints at 14 before joining the NSW Institute of Sport.[5]

Liverpool

Bouzanis spent three weeks with the Liverpool first team squad in January 2007 and was offered a three-year deal.[3] Liverpool's manager Rafael Benítez[6] stated that he rated the Australian as "the best goalkeeper in the world for his age."[7]

He was loaned to A-League side Sydney FC as understudy to Clint Bolton and was included in the club's squad for their AFC Champions League 2007 campaign,[8] but did not appear at the tournament, and was subsequently delisted.[9][10]

He appeared for Liverpool's under 18 and reserve teams [11][12] and after a loan deal with Conference National team Wrexham fell through in July 2009,[13] in November he joined Accrington Stanley on loan,[14] subsequently making 14 league appearances for the club.

In May 2011 Bouzanis left Liverpool after mutually agreeing to a release with one year remaining on his contract.[15]

Oldham Athletic

In July 2011, Bouzanis claimed he had agreed terms with A-league club Melbourne Victory[16] but this was denied by the club.[17]

On 26 November 2011, Bouzanis joined Football League One side Oldham Athletic on non-contract terms as cover for injured back-up keeper Paul Gerrard following a four-week trial.[18] His time at the club included an FA Cup tie against former club Liverpool at Anfield, although Bouzanis spent the match on the bench as an unused substitute.[19] The following month, Bouzanis signed a new deal with the club, until the end of the season.[20]

He made his competitive Latics debut on 27 March 2012 coming on as second-half substitute against Leyton Orient.[21] After a spell in the side at the end of the 2011–12 season when Oldham's first choice keeper Alex Cisak was injured. At the end of the 2011–12 season, Bounzanis signed a new one-year contract following his good display for his performance.[22]

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Bouzanis suffered an ankle injury during the pre-season friendly.[23] He dropped again to the bench at the beginning of the 2012–13 season, before regaining his first-team spot in September.[24] On 27 January 2013, Bouzanis played in Oldham's upset 3–2 win in a F.A. Cup club 4th round tie against Liverpool.[25]

After beating Liverpool, Bouzanis' Oldham faced Everton. In this game Bouzanis came under criticism after going up for a last minute corner which Matt Smith scored from. He was criticised for jumping and appearing to handle the ball. Video replays confirmed he did not handle but many pundits said that this was unsportsmanlike. Bouzanis was subsequently released by Oldham at the end of the 2012–13 season.[26]

Aris FC

Following his departure from Oldham Athletic, Bouzanis joined Greek side Aris FC but failed to make a senior appearance.[27]

Carlisle United

Bouzanis was released by Aris FC in December 2013, and joined Carlisle United on a free transfer on 28 January 2014, on a short-term deal until April, but made no appearances.[28]

Western Sydney Wanderers

In May 2014, Bouzanis returned to his home town, signing with Western Sydney Wanderers.[29]

Melbourne City (2016–2018)

Bouzanis replaced Tando Velaphi at Melbourne City during the January transfer window of the 2015-16 A-League.[30] He signed a one-year contract extension on 28 April 2016, with his new deal to end at the end of the 2016-17 A-League season.[31] Bouzanis made his competitive City debut on 8 October 2016 in the club's first game of the 2016–17 A-League, coming on in the second half after Thomas Sørensen was sent off in a 1–0 win.[32] On 8 February 2017, Bouzanis was banned for five games for using a racial slur against Melbourne Victory, Besart Berisha after appearing to call the Albanian striker a "gypsy". [33]

PEC Zwolle

On 31 August 2018, he joined Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle on a season-long loan with an option to buy.[34]

Melbourne City (2019–2020)
Bouzanis wearing his "No. 23" shirt for Melbourne City.

Bouzanis then returned to Melbourne City. In July 2020, Bouzanis left Melbourne City.[35]

Sutton United

In August 2020, Bouzanis signed with National League side Sutton United, moving to London with partner Steph Catley, who signed with Arsenal.[36]

International career

Bouzanis was first named in the Australian U17 side in 2005 at the age of 15.[3] He was also later included in the squad for Australia's unsuccessful 2006 AFC U17 Championships qualifying campaign.[37]

On 2 February 2008, Bouzanis was invited by the Greek FA manager Alexis Alexiou to represent the youth team against Slovakia on 5 February 2008.[38] Bouzanis visited Greece on 3 February 2008 for an interview with Greek radio station SportFM,[39] and also to play in the friendly against Slovakia, in which he kept a clean sheet. He also played in a 1–0 win against Serbia in March 2008.

Despite playing for the Greek U19 team Bouzanis remained eligible to play for either the Greek or Australian full international sides.[40][41] The Australian press stated that his departure would be a "disaster" likening it to the loss of Joey Didulica to the Croatian national side.[40][42]

In April 2008 he was called up to the Australia Under 23 squad to compete in the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia as part of their preparations for the Olympics due to Danny Vukovic's suspension. He played in the 4–0 defeat of Togo in the final group match.[43] With the announcement that Vukovic's suspension would not be lifted for the Olympics, suggestions were made that Bouzanis would be included in the squad but this did not eventuate.[44][45]

In June 2008, Bouzanis accepted an invitation to represent Greece in the UEFA U-19 European Championships.[46] and stated he was proud to be competing at the finals with Greece.[47] Bouzanis' decision to play for the Greek under-age team upset some of Australia's football community.[48] Bouzanis' agent suggested he still wanted to play for Australia.[49] In April 2008 Australian national coach Pim Verbeek met Bouzanis in Liverpool to discuss his football allegiance.[50]

In February 2009, his agent stated that Bouzanis wanted to play for Australia rather than Greece. Bouzanis subsequently appeared in Australia's first two group matches at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.[51][52] Bouzanis' next international appearance was as a half-time substitute in an Under-23 friendly on 1 June 2011 against Japan.[53] He was subsequently named in the squad for the Olyroos London Olympics 2012 qualifying matches against Yemen in June 2011.[54]

Career statistics
As of 11 April 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool 2008–09 Premier League 0000000000
2009–10 0000000000
2010–11 0000000000
Sydney FC (loan) 2006–07 A-League 00—000000
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2009–10 League Two 140400010190
Oldham Athletic 2011–12 League One 9000000090
2012–13 360500010420
Total450500010510
Aris 2013–14 Super League Greece 1010000020
Carlisle United 2013–14 League One 0000000000
Western Sydney Wanderers 2014–15 A-League 6000101080
2015–16 0000000000
Melbourne City 2015–16 1000000000
2016–17 220200000250
2017–18 21020000230
2019–20 130500000140
Total570900000660
PEC Zwolle (loan) 2018–19 Eredivisie 0000000000
Sutton United 2020–21 National League 0000000000
Total1170190!10301400

Honours

Club

Western Sydney Wanderers

Melbourne City

Personal life

Bouzanis is in relationship with fellow professional soccer player Steph Catley.

References
  1. "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/01/2010 and 31/01/2010" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  2. "Dean Bouzanis". Goal.com. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  3. "How a Sydney kid made cut at one of the greatest clubs". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 February 2007.
  4. "About the club". Carss Park Football club. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  5. Hall, Matthew (4 February 2007). "Teen ace Bouzanis snapped up by Reds". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  6. Weiner, David (8 April 2011). "Australian goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis says training at Liverpool inspires him to go to the next level". Fox Sports. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  7. Hall, Matthew (4 February 2007). "Teen ace Bouzanis snapped up by Reds". The Age. Melbourne.
  8. "Branko is Sydney's man". Fox Sports. 13 February 2007.
  9. "Necevski eyes Bolton's spot". FourFourTwo.com. 26 June 2007.
  10. "Exclusive: Dean Bouzanis On Liverpool, South Africa 2010 And Brazil 2014". Goal.com. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  11. "Dean puts Mum in charge". The Catholic Weekly. 11 March 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
  12. "Liverpool management pleased with Bouzanis progress". tribalfootball.com. 4 November 2010. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  13. "Wrexham sign goalkeeper Russell". BBC Sport. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  14. "Accrington make two loan signings". BBC. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  15. "Aussie keeper leaves Liverpool". Herald-Sun. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  16. "Bouzanis tipped to join Victory". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  17. "Bye Bye Bouza, Tando's #1". Four Four Two. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  18. "Oldham Athletic sign goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis". BBC Sport. 26 November 2011.
  19. "Liverpool 5 – 1 Oldham". BBC Sport. 6 January 2012.
  20. "Dean Bouzanis agrees Oldham extension". BBC Sport. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  21. "Oldham 0 – 1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 27 March 2012.
  22. "Bouzanis earns new Latics deal". Sky Sports. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  23. "Latics injury scare". Oldham Chronicle. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  24. "Keeper hopes for Pompey return". Portsmouth News. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  25. "Heroes all as mighty Liverpool felled". Oldham Chronicle. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  26. "LATICS RETAINED LIST". Oldham Athletic FC. 1 May 2013.
  27. "Bouzanis to swap England for Greece". The World Game on SBS. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  28. "Carlisle United sign Dean Bouzanis". 28 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  29. "Dean Bouzanis joins the Red and Black". Football Federation Australia. 27 May 2014.
  30. "City Release Velaphi, Sign Bouzanis". Melbourne City. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  31. "Melbourne City FC Player Update". Melbourne City FC. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  32. "Bouzanis display pleases City coach Van't Schip". The World Game. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  33. Press, Australian Associated (8 February 2017). "Melbourne City's Bouzanis gets five-game A-League ban for racial slur". the Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  34. "PEC Zwolle trekt Dean Bouzanis aan" (in Dutch). PEC Zwolle. 31 August 2018.
  35. "Player Update: Dean Bouzanis and Denis Genreau". Melbourne City. 25 July 2020.
  36. "Bouzanis signs for fifth tier English club". The World Game. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  37. "Qantas Joeys Held To Draw By Hosts". Football Federation Australia. 8 February 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  38. Ισόπαλοι οι Νέοι (in Greek). 5 February 2008. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  39. Μπουζάνης: "Ελλάδα λόγω καταγωγής" (in Greek). SuperSport FM. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  40. Davutovic, David (2 March 2008). "Greeks woo our star keeper". The Daily Telegraph (Australia).
  41. "Greece targets 'the next Bosnich'". Fox Sports (Australia). 9 February 2008.
  42. Davutovic, David (2 March 2008). "Time to stop the rot". The Daily Telegraph (Australia).
  43. "Qantas Under 23's smash Togo 4–0". /www.footballaustralia.com.au. 21 May 2008.
  44. Ormond, Aidan (20 March 2008). "Bouzanis 'Upset' At Olyroo Snub". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  45. Kogoy, Peter (12 May 2008). "Liverpool answers Olyroos keeper call". The Australian. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  46. (in Greek) "Γαλανόλευκος" ο Μπουζάνης Archived 28 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  47. Μπουζάνης: "Τιμή μου" (in Greek). SuperSport FM. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  48. Ormond, Aidan (3 July 2008). "Fraser: 'Stop Bouza's Greek Tragedy'". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  49. Ormond, Aidan (26 June 2008). "'Greek' Bouzanis Still Wants Roo Shirt". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  50. Ormond, Aidan (14 April 2008). "Pim Meets Bouzanis Over Socceroo Future". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  51. "Qantas Young Socceroos preliminary squad named". Football Federation Australia. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  52. Ormond, Aidan (23 February 2009). "Bouzanis's Aussie Hope". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  53. "Young Socceroos go down to Japan in friendly". Herald Sun. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  54. "Olyroos spared a trip to Yemen". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
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