Subway Socceroos goalkeeper Joe Gauci has completed a deadline day move to English Premier League side Aston Villa from Adelaide United for an undisclosed fee.
According to reports, the deal is rumoured to be worth €1.5m ($2.4m AUD) fee plus add ons, with Gauci reportedly signing until June 2028, subject to international clearance and obtaining a visa once he returns from the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.
The 23-year-old joins the Birmingham-based club after reportedly agreeing to four-and-a-half year contract and continues his development under the stewardship of respected boss Unai Emery.
Currently on international duty with Australia, Gauci follows in the footsteps of notable former Socceroos in Mark Bosnich, Mile Jedinak and Brett Holman to have plied their trade with the Villans.
The gloveman has two senior caps to his name after debuting against Ecuador in a friendly back in March 2023 but was initially called up as a train-on player a year earlier at the age of 21.
Gauci's second appearance occurred in a friendly against Bahrain before the tournament's commencement in early January.
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He has also represented his country at the U-23 level most notably at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022™, where the Subway Olyroos finished fourth.
Standing at 194cm, Gauci is set to provide strong competition for Argentinian FIFA World Cup winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is the incumbent number one at Villa Park.
Gauci made his Adelaide debut during the 2020/21 season and became the undisputed starter the following season, quickly establishing himself as one of the country's brightest shot-stoppers.
In three-and-a-half years with the Reds, Gauci accumulated 76 appearances while keeping 16 clean sheets.
Following the move Gauci said in a statement on Adelaide United's website: “Thank you Reds fans, the support you’ve shown me over the last 3 and a half seasons has been nothing short of incredible.
“From my debut to my first home game and clean sheet, to playing finals football at Coopers Stadium and classic away wins, the love you’ve given me over this period has made these memories even more memorable and they are something I’m going to carry with me for the rest of my life.
“I would also like to thank all the staff members and players, past and present, that have supported me through this journey. The environment the Club has created has really allowed me to flourish and be my true self, on and off the field, that has allowed me to reach the level that I have.
“I would like to wish everyone at the club all the best for the rest of the season and I look forward to supporting the Club from afar. I really hope in the future our paths will cross again.”
Villa, currently experiencing an impressive season, sit provisionally fourth in Premier League.