GOALKEEPER Alex Paulsen says he is “likely to go out on loan” this season, having completed his transfer to Cherries.

Highly-rated stopper Paulsen, who recently made his New Zealand debut, joined Cherries last month from A-League Wellington Phoenix, for an initial £850,000.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season at Phoenix, going from backup to being named the best goalkeeper in the division.

Paulsen previously stated he was unsure what Cherries’ immediate plans were for him, but he has now provided an update on the situation.

Speaking to Football In Oceania, during his international duties at the OFC Nations Cup, Paulsen said: “We’ve got an action plan, so there’s a plan put in place.

“It’s going to look likely to go out on loan. But you never know what’s going to happen.

“It’s going to be a lot of work.

“It’s going to be interesting. I’m very, very excited and just grateful to even be considered to be part of the team and looking forward to joining up with the team as well.”

Discussing the interest from Cherries, Paulsen added: “It was during the back end of the season.

“So it was one of those things where my agent just updated me on the notice from Bournemouth, them being interested in me, and then we kind of just went from there.”

Paulsen put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal, as he became the most expensive player Wellington Phoenix have ever sold.

The fee could reach around £2million based on certain add-ons.

New Cherries goalkeeper Alex Paulsen (Image: Photosport NZ)

“I was very grateful and I’m blessed to be given that opportunity to even be looked at by a club in arguably one of the best leagues in the world,” said Paulsen.

“It was just very, very surreal and an amazing experience to get looked at by Bournemouth.

“It’s a bit of anxiety as well, to be fair, because I’ve never been to England before, so it’ll be foreign territory for me.

“But I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge.”

Exactly how Cherries’ senior goalkeeping group looks this season remains to be seen, following the departures of Andrei Radu and Darren Randolph.

The future of Mark Travers is uncertain, while captain Neto still has two years remaining on his contract. Will Dennis has returned from an impressive loan spell at Kilmarnock, with the Scottish club keen for him to return.

Development squad first-choice stopper Cameron Plain has left the club, while teenager Callan McKenna joined the club in February from Queen’s Park and is tipped for a bright future.

Paulsen was an unused substitute in the Nations Cup final as New Zealand won the trophy, beating Vanuatu 3-0.

He made his All Whites debut earlier in the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Solomon Islands in the group stage.