Joe Gauci joins Port Vale on season-long loan

Joe Gauci has signed with EFL League One side Port Vale on a season-long loan from Premier League outfit Aston Villa.

The Subway Socceroos goalkeeper will spend the 2025/26 campaign at the Valiants where he hopes consistent playing time will have him primed and ready for a spot in Tony Popovic's final squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Gauci, 25, joined Villa in February 2024 from Adelaide United and played two EFL Cup matches before being loaned to Barnsley last January where his stint was cut short by injury.
 

 

 

 

 

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The shot-stopper becomes the ninth summer signing for Port Vale, who gained promotion to the third tier of English football after a second-place finish last season. 

Gauci, who has seven caps for Australia, was looking forward to the move.

"I think the opportunity that's been presented to me is an exciting one," Gauci told the club's official media. 

"To be able to come and help the club off the back of what was a really exciting season last year with a lot of success, a club that's really ambitious now to keep pushing on off the back of last season.

"So to be able to join and to help the squad, it's exciting for sure."

Port Vale head coach Darren Moore said in a statement: "We’re really pleased to have Joe on board. He’s another player with experience of first-team and international football that will provide strong competition in the goalkeeping department here at Vale Park.

"He will be welcomed straight into the group and we’re all looking forward to working with him this season."

Port Vale take on Blackpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday morning (AEST) and return to league action on Saturday, 16 August against Burton Albion at 9:30pm AEST.