Joe Gauci has signed on loan for third-tier English club Barnsley from Premier League Aston Villa as he seeks the playing time which he hopes will help him become the Socceroos’ No.1 goalkeeper.
Gauci, who’s battling with Maty Ryan for the Australia gloves, has hardly had a look-in during his year at Villa where he’s been the understudy to the world’s top keeper, Argentinian Emiliano Martinez.
Gauci broke the A-League Men’s outbound transfer record when Villa bought him from Adelaide United for a reported $2.5 million last February.
Yet after just two appearances for the former European champs in the League Cup, he’s now after more minutes of action with a lower league club as he tries to nail down the Socceroos’ spot in his duel with the experienced Ryan.
Australia skipper Ryan, who got the nod over Gauci as goalie for the last World Cup qualifier in Bahrain in November, has also just made a move from Roma to French Ligue 1 club Lens in his own quest for regular playing time.
He made his debut at the weekend, keeping a clean sheet as Lens beat Angers 1-0, noting that “when you don’t play consistently, it really hurts.”
Gauci obviously believes the same, and told the Barnsley club website: “It’s fantastic to be here, something I’m really excited for.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity for myself to come and get some experience in English football and as well be here to help the club gain promotion and get back in the (division two) Championship.”
Mladen Sormaz, Barnsley’s sporting director, added: “We’re happy to recruit a goalkeeper of Joe’s quality to the Club. His pedigree speaks for itself.”
Barnsley are ninth in League One, two points outside the play-offs.
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