Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen joins Premier League for €10m+ transfer

After a standout season in Belgium, Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen is set to make a high-profile move to the Premier League. The 26-year-old shot-stopper, widely regarded for his shot-stopping ability, has agreed to join Ipswich Town from Union Saint-Gilloise in a deal reportedly worth at least €10 million.

Union Saint-Gilloise may receive an additional €3 million in performance-related bonuses, solidifying the financial terms of the transfer. The Belgian club confirmed the agreement, highlighting Scherpen’s pivotal role in their recent triumphs, including the Croky Cup and his recognition as the league’s top goalkeeper for most clean sheets.

Scherpen’s journey to the top tier of English football has been gradual. Drafted by Brighton & Hove Albion from Ajax in 2021 for €5 million, the Netherlands international struggled to break into the first team. Loan stints at KV Ostende, Vitesse, and Sturm Graz followed, delaying his development before a permanent move to Union Saint-Gilloise in summer 2025 for around €2 million.

At Union, Scherpen flourished, amassing 43 appearances and an impressive 21 clean sheets. His performance caught the attention of multiple European clubs, including those in Italy, Germany, and now England, as reported earlier by transfer specialists. The move to Ipswich Town marks a significant milestone in his career, though he must first undergo a medical examination and finalize a four-year contract.

Ipswich’s squad bolstered ahead of the new season

Joining Scherpen in the Tractor Boys’ goalkeeper ranks is Kayne van Oevelen, who arrived from FC Volendam. The Dutch defender’s addition adds depth to the team as they prepare for their Premier League campaign. Scherpen and van Oevelen will compete for the starting role alongside established first-choice goalkeeper Christian Walton, who made 30 appearances for Ipswich last season.

With the transfer now confirmed, Scherpen’s transition to the Premier League represents a new chapter in his career, one that has taken him from the Eredivisie to Belgium’s top flight and now to the global stage of English football.