I would be interested in what other goalies think (once a keeper, always a keeper) on this age thing. I am talking as someone who was a starting Central League keeper at the age of 16 so perhaps have a bias but I honestly don't think the keeper age thing is any different to any other position.
All players, in any position, gain experience with age and experience and the old adage of “old enough if you are good enough” applies.
The most obvious improvements from young to old are things like communication with your defenders and positioning, these are abilities that apply to all young players and the very best already have high levels in those areas, naturally.
The stats geeks will tell us that keepers make their mark at an older age than others but I wonder how much of that is because of decreased ability because of young age, or of opportunity. Keepers tend to last longer at the top level, but how much of that is because keepers tend to stay more injury free than outfielders (simply because of the nature of the position they play) and therefore the opportunities for younger keepers to get into teams are fewer.
From a development perspective, Paulsen probably gains more by starting full time at A League level than sitting on the reserve bench or playing under 23s at a Championship team but in terms of opportunity, he is better served being in Europe/UK where he is more in the shop window.
While on my mini-rant, I get a little pissed off with this folk-lore tale that keepers are a little weird. I suppose we tend (keepers that is) like to perpetuate that notion but I don't think it applies any more to keepers than anyone else in any walk of life.
2nd Best and Doloras (who I know are keepers) do you have a view?