One of Belgium’s most promising goalkeepers is set to make a high-profile switch to English football after Kjell Scherpen finalized his move to Ipswich Town in a deal reportedly worth at least €10 million. The 26-year-old shot-stopper leaves Union Saint-Gilloise to join the newly promoted Premier League side, pending the completion of a medical examination.
The transfer, described as a significant investment by the English club, secures the services of a goalkeeper who has established himself as one of the top performers in Belgium’s top flight. Scherpen, who stands at just 1.86 meters, has been in exceptional form over the past season, helping his former club Union Saint-Gilloise clinch both the Croky Cup and the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in the league.
His journey to this point has been one of persistence and adaptation. Originally signed by Brighton & Hove Albion from Ajax in 2021 for €5 million, Scherpen’s early years in England were marked by loan spells at KV Ostende, Vitesse Arnhem, and Sturm Graz. It wasn’t until his permanent move to Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2025—valued at around €2 million—that he truly flourished. His contract with the Belgian side was set to run until mid-2028, but his impressive displays have now caught the attention of a Premier League club willing to pay a premium to secure his talents.
Scherpen’s arrival at Ipswich Town comes as the club also welcomes another new signing, Kayne van Oevelen, from FC Volendam. The competition for the starting goalkeeper spot will be fierce, with Christian Walton, the club’s established number one last season, also vying for his place. The Dutchman’s experience and shot-stopping ability will be crucial as Ipswich Town look to consolidate their position in England’s top flight following their promotion from the Championship.
The transfer fee includes an initial €10 million payment, with an additional €3 million potentially achievable through performance-based bonuses. While Scherpen’s move marks the end of his time in Belgium, it represents a new chapter in his career as he aims to prove himself on the biggest stage in world football—the Premier League.
