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Joe Gauci

Joe Gauci
Gauci playing for Aston Villa in 2024
Personal information
Full name Joe Anthony Gauci[1]
Date of birth (2000-07-04) 4 July 2000 (age 25)[2]
Place of birth Adelaide, Australia[3]
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
(on loan from Aston Villa)
Number 46
Youth career
Waiheke United
Cumberland United
2011–2015 FFSA NTC
2015–2017 Cumberland United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 West Torrens Birkalla 31 (0)
2018–2019 Central Coast Mariners 0 (0)
2018–2019 CCM Academy 5 (0)
2019 Adelaide City 8 (0)
2019–2020 Melbourne City 0 (0)
2020–2024 Adelaide United 71 (0)
2021 Adelaide United NPL 2 (0)
2024– Aston Villa 0 (0)
2025 → Barnsley (loan) 7 (0)
2025– → Port Vale (loan) 1 (0)
International career‡
2022 Australia U23 5 (0)
2023– Australia 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:00, 23 August 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 14 November 2024

Joe Anthony Gauci (Maltese: [ˈɡaʊ.t͡ʃɪ]; born 4 July 2000) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League One club Port Vale, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa. He represents the Australia national team.

Gauci began his professional career when he received a scholarship deal with Central Coast Mariners in June 2018. He subsequently joined Adelaide City and Melbourne City before signing a scholarship contract with Adelaide United in October 2020. He made his A-League debut in March 2021 and went on to make 76 appearances for Adelaide, before he was signed for an undisclosed fee by English Premier League club Aston Villa in January 2024. He spent the second part of the 2024–25 season on loan at Barnsley and was loaned to Port Vale for the 2025–26 campaign.

Internationally, Gauci has made seven appearances for the Australia national team. He received his first call-up in 2022 as a train-on player and made his debut in a friendly match against Ecuador in 2023.

Early life

[edit]

Gauci was born on 4 July 2000 in Adelaide, Australia to parents of Maltese descent.[4] At the age of four, Gauci moved to Waiheke Island, New Zealand after his mother was posted as a general manager for Kangaroo Island SeaLink.[5][6] While living in New Zealand, Gauci joined local club Waiheke United at youth level and, with his brother, traveled by ferry to Auckland where he started playing football as a striker.[6][7] Gauci began playing as a goalkeeper during a school football camp in New Zealand.[7][8][9] He returned to South Australia at age 11 and attended Sacred Heart College.[7][10]

Gauci joined Cumberland United after a successful trial.[7] During his time at the Clarence Gardens outfit, he represented South Australia in an under-14s national competition held at Coffs Harbour.[8] He eventually joined the National Training Centre program, where he was coached by Carl Veart.[7]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

At 16 years old, Gauci caught the attention of scouts while captaining West Torrens Birkalla's under-18s in the National Premier Leagues (NPL). Gauci led his team to the title, triumphing over Adelaide City in the final.[7] In February 2018, Gauci went on trial with Central Coast Mariners. Although he was not offered a contract, the club invited him for another week of training in May. He signed a two-year scholarship contract with the Mariners on 19 June 2018.[11][12] After being released a year later,[13] Gauci signed with Adelaide City mid-season of the NPL South Australia in June 2019.[14][15] He made eight league appearances in the 2019 season.[16] On 9 September, Gauci signed a scholarship contract with Melbourne City where he took part in the club's youth teams.[17][18] He was an unused substitute in the 2020 A-League Grand final defeat to Sydney FC.[19]

Adelaide United

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On 7 October 2020, Gauci signed a scholarship deal with his hometown club Adelaide United.[20][7] As first-choice goalkeeper James Delianov was ruled out due to failing his fitness test, Gauci made his professional debut on 13 March 2021 in a 3–1 away victory against Melbourne Victory.[21] He kept his first clean sheet in the league 15 days later in a 1–0 win over Sydney FC.[22] The match was Adelaide's sixth consecutive win of the 2020–21 season, matching the club record in the 2005–06 season.[23][24] Carl Veart, the head coach of Adelaide United, praised Gauci's performance during the team's success.[25] On 13 May, Gauci suffered a thigh injury during a warm-up session before a match against Melbourne City which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.[26] He made ten league appearances during the 2020–21 season, keeping three clean sheets, and extended his contract for two years on 25 May.[27]

In the 2021–22 season, Gauci went seven-months without an appearance and was ruled out at the start of the new year with COVID-19.[28] He made his first appearance for the season, as to replace Delianov who sustained an injury mid-season,[29] against Melbourne Victory on 8 January.[2] He signed a three-year contract extension on 13 April 2023.[30]

In the 2022–23 season, Adelaide United progressed to the A-League finals series. In the elimination final, Gauci kept his first clean sheet in 13 matches, in a 2–0 win over Wellington Phoenix on 5 May.[31] Adelaide United ended the season with a loss in the semi-final leg against Melbourne City.[32] He was voted onto the A-League Men PFA Team of the Season, having stopped 146 efforts on goal, including three penalties for a save percentage of 73%.[33]

In February 2024, midway through the 2023–24 season, Gauci departed Adelaide United with a total of 76 appearances and 16 clean sheets.[34]

Aston Villa

[edit]

On 1 February 2024, Gauci signed for English Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.[35] The fee was reported to be around $2.5m (around £1.29m). It was confirmed that the player would join up with his new club after the end of Australia's involvement in the ongoing Asian Cup.[36] Gauci was on the bench for the February 2024 game against Nottingham Forest.[37] The 24-year-old made his Aston Villa debut on 24 September 2024, starting an EFL Cup win away at Wycombe Wanderers.[38] Unai Emery had him compete with 34-year-old Robin Olsen to be Emiliano Martínez's backup.[39]

On 30 January 2025, Gauci joined League One side Barnsley on loan for the remainder of the season.[40] Head coach Darrell Clarke said the Australian would be Barnsley's first-choice goalkeeper.[41] On 1 February, Gauci got a clean sheet in his first appearance in the English Football League, a 0–0 draw with Burton Albion at Oakwell.[42] However, he was sidelined with a hip injury after four games and 20-year-old Kieren Flavell impressed new head coach Conor Hourihane in his absence.[43][44] Gauci played three further games for Barnsley in the remainder of the 2024–25 season.[45]

On 11 August 2025, Gauci returned to League One, joining Port Vale on a season-long loan after Ben Amos picked up an injury.[46][47] Manager Darren Moore gave Gauci his debut at Vale Park 12 days later, dropping number one Marko Maroši to the bench for a 1–0 league defeat to Doncaster Rovers.[48]

International career

[edit]

Other than Australia, Gauci was eligible to represent New Zealand and Malta at international level.[4] In March 2022, he received his first call-up to the Australia national team as a train-on player for the first week of camp, in preparation for the World Cup qualification matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia.[49] Gauci received his first official call-up to the Australia national team ahead of two friendly matches against Ecuador.[50] During the second friendly match on 28 March, the 21-year-old earned his first international appearance, starting in Australia's 2–1 defeat at Marvel Stadium.[51][52] He played well, making eight saves, including two crucial reflex stops.[53] In January 2024, head coach Graham Arnold named Gauci in the squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.[54] He was an unused substitute in the quarter-finals defeat to South Korea.[55] New head coach, Tony Popovic, began to use Gauci as his first preference over veteran goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in October 2024.[56] Gauci played five 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches before Ryan won back his starting place.[57]

Personal life

[edit]

Gauci has a younger brother, Jed, who plays for The Cove in State League 2 South Australia. The two played against each other for the first time on 18 July 2023, where Adelaide United won 8–1 over The Cove.[58]

In April 2022, Gauci became an ambassador for the Childhood Cancer Association (CCA) in supporting local children with cancer and their families.[59][60] Gauci vowed to contribute a sum of $20 for every save he made throughout an entire season. As of May 2023, he had donated $1,920 to the association.[61]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
As of match played 23 August 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Central Coast Mariners 2018–19[2] A-League 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Melbourne City 2019–20[2] A-League 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
Adelaide United 2020–21[62] A-League 10 0 0 0 — 0 0 10 0
2021–22[63] A-League 19 0 3 0 — 3[c] 0 25 0
2022–23[2] A-League 26 0 2 0 — 3[c] 0 31 0
2023–24[64] A-League 10 0 — — — 10 0
Total 65 0 5 0 — 6 0 76 0
Aston Villa 2023–24[64] Premier League 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
2024–25[45] Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
2025–26[65] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
Barnsley (loan) 2024–25[45] EFL League One 7 0 — — — 7 0
Port Vale (loan) 2025–26[65] EFL League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 73 0 5 0 2 0 6 0 86 0
  1. ^ Includes Australia Cup and FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance/s in the A-League Men finals series

International

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As of 14 November 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year[66]
National team Year Apps Goals
Australia 2023 1 0
2024 6 0
Total 7 0

Honours

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Individual

Melbourne City

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Latest updated Premier League squad lists for 2023/24". Premier League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Joe Gauci at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b Joe Gauci at WorldFootball.net
  4. ^ a b Pisani, Sacha (27 January 2023). "Joe Gauci can also play for two other nations: This conversation could decide his future". A-Leagues. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  5. ^ "The Pitch Podcast Fan Q&A | Joe Gauci". Adelaide United.
  6. ^ a b Greenwood, Rob (19 June 2018). "SA teenage goalkeeper Joe Gauci signs for A-League club Central Coast Mariners". Adelaide Now. The Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "House of Gauci: Joe's rise to the big time". Adelaide United. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b Smithies, Tom (13 April 2023). "'I thought my career was over, aged 11': Joe Gauci's amazing story 'not many people know'". A-Leagues. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  9. ^ Daou, Amir (24 April 2021). "'I made one save and that was it': Gauci's remarkable journey to the A-League". The Football Sack. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  10. ^ Greenwood, Rob (19 June 2018). "SA teenage goalkeeper Joe Gauci signs for A-League club Central Coast Mariners". The Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  11. ^ Greenwood, Rob (19 June 2018). "SA teenager gets A-League chance". The West Australian. The Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Keepers Confirmed: Pearce re-signs & Gauci gained". Central Coast Mariners. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Hiarej, Gameiro & Gauci depart Mariners". Central Coast Mariners. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  14. ^ Barbaro, Michael (4 June 2019). "Goalkeeper Gauci signs with City!". Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  15. ^ Abbracciavento, Daniela; Rinaldo, Lucas (7 June 2019). "Adelaide City lures veteran Pellegrino out of retirement, recruits former Central Coast Mariner keeper Gauci". Adelaide Now. The Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Joe Gauci - Player Statistics". GameDay.
  17. ^ "Melbourne City Bolsters Youth Ranks Offering Scholarships for the 2019/20 season to Talented Youngsters". Melbourne City. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  18. ^ "City finalise 2019/20 Foxtel Y-League Squad". Melbourne City. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  19. ^ a b Heinrich, Scott (30 August 2020). "A-League 2020 grand final: Sydney FC 1-0 Melbourne City (aet) – as it happened". the Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Reds sign Gauci ahead of 2020/21 Season". Adelaide United. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  21. ^ Filosi, Gianluca (13 March 2021). "Reds jump into second after emphatic Victory triumph". Adelaide United. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  22. ^ Monteverde, Marco (30 March 2021). "A-League: Goalkeeper Joe Gauci is making the most of his opportunity with Adelaide United". news.com.au. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Reds sink Sydney for six straight wins!". Adelaide United. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  24. ^ Filosi, Gianluca (30 March 2021). "Gauci reflects on save and discusses Reds' belief". Adelaide United. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  25. ^ Gagliardi, Lee (28 March 2021). "New hero Gauci saves the day for Reds". 7NEWS. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  26. ^ Migliaccio, Val (23 May 2021). "Adelaide United defeat Victory to close in on finals dream". news.com.au. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Reds sign Gauci to two-year extension". Adelaide United. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  28. ^ Hough, Andrew; Williams, Tim (1 January 2022). "Josh Cavallo, Mohamed Toure and Joe Gauci miss A-League clash with Wellington after testing positive for Covid-19". Adelaide Now. The Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  29. ^ Lynch, Joey (19 January 2023). "The 'crazy' story of 13-year throwback photo of past and future Socceroos: 'It's pretty surreal for me'". Optus Sport. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Gauci extends with Reds until 2026". Adelaide United. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  31. ^ Comito, Matt (8 May 2023). "A 13-game run is over for the Reds – and it's a good omen ahead of the Semi Finals". keepup.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023.
  32. ^ Marchetti, Christian (30 October 2023). "Continuity and holistic performances shaping Adelaide United's incredible 2023/24 start". Front Page Football. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  33. ^ Ross, Julius (29 May 2023). "PFA reveals player-voted Austraffic A-League Men Team of the Season". The PFA. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  34. ^ "Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci to the English Premier League". Adelaide United. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Aston Villa announce Joe Gauci signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  36. ^ Slessor, Camron (2 February 2024). "Goalkeeper Joe Gauci makes blockbuster Premier League move, joining Adelaide United exodus". ABC News. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Luiz double helps scintillating Villa beat Forest". BBC Sport.
  38. ^ "Gauci debuts at Wycombe Wanderers". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  39. ^ Spinney, Fraser (7 August 2024). "Unai Emery has one clear Joe Gauci plan that will benefit Aston Villa for years to come". Aston Villa News. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  40. ^ "Joe Gauci joins the Reds". www.barnsleyfc.co.uk. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  41. ^ "New 'keeper will be first choice, says Clarke". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  42. ^ "Reds held by Burton in stalemate". Barnsley Chronicle. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  43. ^ "Flavell's shirt to lose even if Gauci returns, hints Hourihane". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  44. ^ "Gauci back but Flavell 'number 1 going into weekend'". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  45. ^ a b c "Games played by Joe Gauci in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  46. ^ "Joe Gauci joins Port Vale on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 11 August 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  47. ^ Baggaley, Mike (11 August 2025). "Gauci signs as Vale prepare for Blackpool". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  48. ^ Baggaley, Mike (24 August 2025). "Vale fail to impress against Doncaster". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  49. ^ "Fresh faces & experienced Socceroos named as Australia gets set for Japan and Jeddah | Football Australia". Football Australia. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  50. ^ "Gauci, Bos, O'Neill and Robertson react to maiden Subway Socceroos call-ups | Socceroos". Socceroos. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  51. ^ "Australia 1–2 Ecuador (Mar 28, 2023) Game Analysis". ESPN. 28 March 2023.
  52. ^ "Dream come true for new Socceroo, Gauci". Adelaide United. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  53. ^ George, Jack (3 April 2023). "Joe Gauci and family 'lost for words' following distinguished debut | Socceroos". Socceroos. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  54. ^ "Subway Socceroos AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Squad Revealed". Socceroos. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  55. ^ "Australia 1 - 2 Korea Republic" (PDF). The AFC. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  56. ^ Monteverde, Marco (11 October 2024). "Dropped Socceroos captain Mat Ryan urged to 'get on with' job of reclaiming his place between the posts". news.com.au. NewsWire.
  57. ^ Gibson, Tim (20 November 2024). "Australia fight back to rescue a point in Bahrain | Socceroos". Socceroos. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  58. ^ "Gauci content with Cove contest". Adelaide United. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  59. ^ Filosi, Gianluca (28 April 2022). "Gauci and McNamara proud CCA Ambassadors". Adelaide United. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  60. ^ "Gauci pledge supports kids with cancer - Childhood Cancer Association". childhoodcancer.asn.au. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  61. ^ "Gauci to donate $1,100 to Childhood Cancer Association". Adelaide United. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  62. ^ "Games played by Joe Gauci in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  63. ^ "Games played by Joe Gauci in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  64. ^ a b "Games played by Joe Gauci in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  65. ^ a b "Games played by Joe Gauci in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  66. ^ "Joe Gauci". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  67. ^ Larkin, Steve (29 May 2023). "City's Bos leads PFA A-League Men team of the season". Narromine News. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
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