Kjell Scherpen is set to join the Premier League after agreeing to a transfer worth at least €10 million from Union Saint-Gilloise to newly promoted Ipswich Town. The 26-year-old Dutch goalkeeper, known for his agility despite his 1.86-meter frame, will undergo a medical examination before finalizing a four-year contract with the English club.
Scherpen’s departure marks the end of a successful stint in Belgium, where he helped Union Saint-Gilloise secure the Croky Cup and claimed the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets during the past season. His consistent performances did not go unnoticed, with interest from Italian, German, and English clubs growing steadily over recent months.
The goalkeeper’s journey to Union Saint-Gilloise began in the summer of 2025, following brief loan spells at KV Oostende, Vitesse, and Sturm Graz. Before that, Brighton & Hove Albion had acquired him from Ajax for €5 million in 2021, though his breakthrough in England was delayed. At Union Saint-Gilloise, he earned a reputation as a reliable last line of defense, making 43 appearances and keeping 21 clean sheets.
Ipswich Town, who also signed midfielder Kayne van Oevelen from FC Volendam, will now compete for the starting spot between Scherpen, van Oevelen, and Christian Walton, who was the first-choice goalkeeper last season. The club’s investment underscores its ambition to establish itself firmly in the top flight.
With the transfer fee potentially rising to €13 million through performance-based bonuses, Scherpen’s move reflects both his rising value and Ipswich Town’s strategic push for long-term stability.
