Experienced goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis returns to A-League to join Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar’s new goalkeeper is intent on helping lift the club out of the A-League doldrums.

Dean Bouzanis has returned to the A-League to join Brisbane Roar. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Prezioso

New Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis is adamant he has nothing to prove in his return to the A-League after a disappointing season in England.

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.

Former Melbourne City goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis has joined Brisbane Roar. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

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.”