Melbourne City keeper Dean Bouzanis has joined Dutch Eredevisie club PEC Zwolle on a loan deal. The 27-year- old’s move to Holland marks a return of the Sydney born gloveman to European football after he spent the last three seasons in the A-League, first with Western Sydney Wanderers and then for Melbourne City, whom he joined in season 2015/16.
During that season, the then Melbourne City coach, Van’t Schip, signed Bouzanis, prompting his move away from his hometown Sydney down to Melbourne.
At his new Dutch club, Bouzanis has reunited with former Melbourne City coaches Van’t Schip and Michael Valkanis. Van’t Schip is PEC Zwolle’s senior coach whilst Valkanis is an assistant coach.
PEC Zwolle Technical Director Gerard Nijkamp commented on the Bouzanis signing on the club’s Facebook page.
“Through the network of John Van’t Schip, we ended up at Dean,” he wrote.
“He is an experienced goalkeeper who makes a good impression on both John and our scouting team. The reason for the signing is twofold. First of all, as a precaution because we have to wait and see how the injury of Diederik Boer develops. And secondly, we want to increase the competition with the goalkeepers by attracting Dean.”
It was 10 years ago when a 17-year-old Bouzanis first ventured across to Europe with a dream to make it as a professional footballer in one of the top European leagues. He joined Premier League giant Liverpool, coached at the time by Spaniard Rafa Benitez. He played for their U 18s and reserve teams, before spending time at clubs such as Oldham Athletic, Aris FC (in Greece) and Carlisle United. He also won caps at International Youth level for both Greece and Australia.
Whilst his move to Holland is on a loan deal till the end of the season, it is reported that the Dutch club has the option to buy him at the end of this current season.