Dean Bouzanis will be playing in the Championship next season after the ex-Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper signed for Reading.
Former A-Leagues shot-stopper Bouzanis joins Reading on a three-year contract, it was announced.
After two seasons with the Wanderers in the A-League Men, Bouzanis switched to City in 2016 but the ex-Liverpool youngster relocated to the United Kingdom four years later after his partner and Matildas star Steph Catley signed for Arsenal.
Bouzanis linked up with Sutton United in the National League and he kept 18 clean sheets as they earned promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club’s history.
In League Two last season, Bouzanis helped Sutton finish eighth as they narrowly missed out on a play-off berth, while they lost to Rotherham United after extra time in the 2021-22 EFL Trophy final at Wembley.
Now, the 31-year-old will be vying for Premier League promotion with Paul Ince’s Reading.
“Dean is a goalkeeper who I know will put his body on the line and throw everything into keeping the ball out of the net for this football club,” said manager Ince.
“He becomes part of what is now a solid-looking goalkeeping department, led by the hugely experienced Tony Warner, and I am confident he will be a real asset to the club this season and beyond.”
During his time in Australia, Bouzanis was part of the Western Sydney squad that won the 2014 AFC Champions League.
Bouzanis also started the 2016 FFA Cup final that City won thanks to Socceroos legend Tim Cahill.
Reading’s head of football operations Mark Bowen added: “I’m delighted we have been able to acquire the services of a goalkeeper with Dean’s ability and add him to a group who will benefit from his additional experience between the posts.
“We now have great strength in depth in a position in the team which will be so important to get right this season. I’m pleased to welcome Dean to the club.”
