Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen is set to make a significant leap in his career, transitioning to England’s Premier League in a deal valued at no less than €10 million. The 26-year-old shot-stopper, who has been dominating the goalkeeping scene in Belgium, will join newly promoted Ipswich Town from Union Saint-Gilloise, with the Belgian club retaining the possibility of an additional €3 million through performance-based bonuses.
The announcement comes after Scherpen delivered an outstanding season in Belgium, securing both the Croky Cup and the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets. His impressive form has caught the attention of top European clubs, including those in Italy, Germany, and now England, as confirmed by transfer market insiders earlier this year.
Scherpen’s journey to the Premier League has not been straightforward. Initially recruited by Brighton & Hove Albion from Ajax in the summer of 2021 for €5 million, his breakthrough in England did not materialize immediately. Following loans to KV Ostende, Vitesse Arnhem, and Sturm Graz, he joined Union Saint-Gilloise on a permanent basis in the summer of 2025 for approximately €2 million, signing a contract until mid-2028.
With 43 appearances under his belt—21 of which were clean sheets—Scherpen departs Belgium with an impressive track record. However, he must first pass a medical examination before finalizing a four-year deal with Ipswich Town, where he will compete for the starting position alongside established goalkeeper Christian Walton and newcomer Kayne van Oevelen, who arrives from FC Volendam.
