Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen is set to make a high-profile switch to the Premier League after agreeing to a deal with newly promoted Ipswich Town. The 26-year-old, whose transfer fee exceeds €10 million, will leave Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, with potential additional bonuses pushing the total closer to €13 million.
From bright prospect to proven performer
Scherpen’s journey to the top tier of English football has been anything but straightforward. Drafted by Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 for an initial €5 million from the Ajax academy, his path to first-team football in England was delayed by successive loan spells at KV Oostende, Vitesse Arnhem, and Sturm Graz. It wasn’t until his permanent move to Union Saint-Gilloise in summer 2025—valued at around €2 million—for a three-year contract that his career truly flourished.
Proven excellence in Belgium
During his single season in Belgium, Scherpen established himself as one of the league’s most formidable shot-stoppers. His contributions were pivotal in securing the Croky Cup, while his clean sheet tally earned him the prestigious Golden Glove award for goalkeepers. Over 43 appearances for the Union, he kept 21 clean sheets, a statistic that underscored his reliability between the posts.
Premier League ambitions take center stage
Interest from clubs across Europe had been building for months, with Fabrizio Romano previously highlighting the growing attention from teams in Italy, Germany, and England. Scherpen’s consistent performances in Belgium have now paved the way for his return to English football, where he will compete for the starting role at Ipswich Town under manager Kieran McKenna.
Joining him at Portman Road is Dutch winger Kayne van Oevelen, who arrives from FC Volendam, adding further depth to a squad that will also feature established goalkeeper Christian Walton, the club’s first-choice last season.
Scherpen is expected to complete his medical examinations imminently before signing a four-year contract, marking the next chapter in a career that has already seen dramatic highs and lows. For Ipswich Town, the acquisition represents a bold statement of intent as they aim to establish themselves in the Premier League following their promotion.
