BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Brisbane Roar have bolstered their goalkeeper department with the signing of experienced custodian Dean Bouzanis, who returns home after a stint in England to join on a one-year contract, with an option for 2026–27.
Bouzanis, 34, completes the Roar’s quintet of offseason signings, following the arrivals of forward Michael Ruhs, Bosnian midfielder Milorad Stajic, Scottish defender James McGarry and defender Hosine Bility.
Born in Sydney and developed in elite youth systems including Sydney Olympic and Liverpool’s academy, Bouzanis brings a wealth of experience across Europe and Australia. His career spans spells at Oldham Athletic, Aris Thessaloniki, Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne City and recent loans in England with Sutton United and Stevenage. He most recently spent time with EFL sides Reading and Charlton Athletic before committing his future to the Roar.
Manager Michael Valkanis welcomed Bouzanis’s arrival as a strategic move to strengthen competition for the No. 1 jersey and add leadership to the squad.
“Dean gives us a seasoned and reliable option between the sticks,” Valkanis said. “His familiarity with both Australian and English football, along with his winning mentality, aligns with the high standards we’re setting at Brisbane Roar.”
Bouzanis expressed his delight at the move, describing it as a “homecoming” and praising the Roar’s ambition and stature in the league.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be signing for the Roar,” Bouzanis said. “It’s a proud, big club and I can’t wait to get started and contribute both on and off the pitch.”
The move comes as long-serving Roar keeper Matt Acton departs following the expiration of his contract — a decision that paved the way for Bouzanis’s arrival
Bouzanis will join a goalkeeping department that includes veteran Macklin Freke and emerging talent, raising the bar in training and during matches.
The signing gives Brisbane Roar greater resilience between the posts ahead of the 2025–26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season, which tips off later this year at Suncorp Stadium.
ANALYSIS
- Strategic roster strengthening – Bouzanis’s addition provides competition and experience to a position recently vacated, ensuring resilience throughout a long season.
- International pedigree – With a career across top youth systems and senior leagues in Europe and Australia, Bouzanis brings a high-performance mindset and mentoring value.
- Timing – The signing marks a key milestone in Brisbane Roar’s extensive off-season rebuild, rounding out what has been an active summer at Suncorp Stadium ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.
Let me know if you’d like expanded profiles on Bouzanis or how his signing compares to past Roar
