Socceroos gloveman Joe Gauci joins Barnsley on loan from Aston Villa

Socceroo Joe Gauci’s quest for game time has taken him from the Premier League to the third tier of English football.

Joe Gauci is the latest Socceroos goalkeeper to have switched clubs in the search for first-team football.

A week after experienced gloveman Mat Ryan’s move from Italian club Roma to French outfit Lens, Gauci has joined English League One team Barnsley from Premier League club Aston Villa until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Former Adelaide United keeper Gauci, 24, joined Villa in February last year and has since made two appearances – both in the English League Cup – for the club.

Blocking Gauci’s path at Villa have been Argentina’s World Cup-winning custodian Emiliano Martínez and veteran Swedish keeper Robin Olsen.

House of Gauci ✍️ pic.twitter.com/g66tXf3ZzM

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) January 30, 2025

Gauci said it was “fantastic” to be at Barnsley, who are ninth on the League One (third-tier) ladder.

“(It’s) a brilliant opportunity for myself to come and get some experience in English football, and as well be here to help the club gain promotion and get back in the (second-tier) Championship,” he said.

“I’ve loved every minute (at Aston Villa), but it’s time for a new challenge.

“You want to play in big games, and play in games with pressure in front of big crowds with big expectations, so to come here (Barnsley) and hopefully getting this club back to where they belong, it’s very exciting and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke said Gauci had been brought to the club to be the first-choice keeper.

“He ticked a hell of a lot of boxes for us,” Clarke said.

“Hopefully, he can come in and do well, and I’m sure the fans will get right behind him.”

Joe Gauci joins the Reds until the end of the season on loan from @AVFCOfficial!

Welcome, Joe! 🇦🇺

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) January 30, 2025

Barnsley sporting director Mladen Sormaz was also pleased to have snared Gauci’s services.

“We’re happy to recruit a goalkeeper of Joe’s quality to the club,” Sormaz said.

“His pedigree speaks for itself, making over 75 appearances in the A-League before catching the attention of a Premier League club chasing the Champions League in Aston Villa.”

Gauci has made seven appearances for the Socceroos, with three of them coming in Australia’s past four matches.

Barnsley’s next match is on Saturday night (AEDT) against relegation-threatened Burton Albion at Oakwell.

Originally published as Socceroos gloveman Joe Gauci joins Barnsley on loan from Aston Villa