Internationally, Gauci received his first call-up to the Australia national team in 2022 as a train-on player and made his debut in a friendly match against Ecuador in 2023.
Early life
Gauci was born on 4 July 2000 in Adelaide, Australia to parents of Maltese descent.[6] 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.[7][8] 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.[8][9] Gauci began playing as a goalkeeper during a school football camp in New Zealand.[9][10][11]
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.[9] 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 officially signed a two-year scholarship contract with the Mariners on 19 June 2018.[12][13] After being released a year later,[14] Gauci signed with Adelaide City mid-season of the NPL South Australia in June 2019.[15][16] He made eight league appearances in the 2019 season.[17] On 9 September, Gauci signed a scholarship contract with Melbourne City where he took part in the club's youth teams.[18][19]
Adelaide United
On 7 October 2020, Gauci signed a scholarship deal with his hometown club Adelaide United after serving as a backup goalkeeper at Melbourne City.[20] 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 on 28 March 2021 in a 1–0 win against 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 on 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] In the 2020–21 season, Gauci made 10 league appearances with 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] on 8 January against Melbourne Victory.[30] By the end of the season, Gauci signed a three-year contract extension on 13 April 2023.[31]
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, the last being against Macarthur FC on 20 January, in a 2–0 win against Wellington Phoenix on 5 May.[32] Adelaide United ended the season with a loss in the semi-final leg against Melbourne City.[33] In February 2024, midway of the 2023–24 season, Gauci departed Adelaide United with a total of 76 appearances and 16 clean sheets.[34]
Aston Villa
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]
On July 17 2024, Gauci made his debut for Aston Villa as a second-half substitute during a 3–0 friendly win against EFL League Two club Walsall.[38]
Gauci received his first official call-up to the Australia national team ahead of two friendly matches against Ecuador.[40] During the second friendly match on 28 March, Gauci earned his first international appearance, starting in Australia's 2–1 defeat at Marvel Stadium.[41][42]
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.[44]
In April 2022, Gauci, acting as a representative of Adelaide United, became an ambassador for the Childhood Cancer Association (CCA) in supporting local children with cancer, and their families.[45][46] To show his commitment and generosity, Gauci vowed to contribute a sum of $20 for every save he made throughout an entire season. As of May 2023, Gauci donated an amount of $1,920 to the association.[47]