Greek Australian Dean Bouzanis is coming back to home soil, having signed to Western Sydney Wanderers on a two-year deal.
The 23-year-old has been overseas for the past seven years, playing for Carlisle United. He moved to England in 2007 to join Liverpool and has played for Greek club Aris, Accrington Stanley and Oldham Athletic.
In his early days in Sydney, the Greek Australian played for club Sydney Olympic and has a strong connection to his Greek roots.
He’s one of the few players with both Greek and Australian caps to his name. He’s been known in Greece, playing for the under 19s in a number of friendlies, while also representing Australia for the AFC U17 Championships.
Bouzanis jumped on the job offer by the newest A-League club and has nothing but praise for the huge fan base.
“I’m excited to join the Wanderers because they have an amazing fan base,” Bouzanis said.
“They are the best fans in the A-League and the recent success they’ve had at the football club is massive.
“I was playing for Carlisle and I got approached by Popa and when I heard that Western Sydney was interested it was a big thing for me because I’ve supported the team, I’ve seen how good a coach Popa is with the results that he’s got and it all just went from there.”
He’s hoping to get the Wanderers a title and pick up from where he left in Australia.
“The Wanderers are a club where you can win trophies as well as progress and develop as a player.
“I’ve worked with Ron Cory before when he was at the Australian Institute of Sport and he’s a top goalkeeper coach who I can learn a lot from.”
“To work with such an experienced goalkeeper in Ante Covic, who has played many matches and has been there and done that, is something I’m looking forward to.
Dean has younger brother Anthony to look after too, with both taking up the goalie life in Australia.
Source: SBS