The 26-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen is set to join English Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town in a deal reportedly worth at least €10 million, with potential add-ons pushing the total to €13 million.
The transfer was confirmed following an outstanding season in Belgium, where Scherpen played a pivotal role in helping Union Saint-Gilloise secure both the Croky Cup and the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in the Belgian Pro League.
After initially joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Ajax in 2021 for €5 million, Scherpen’s path to regular first-team football in England was delayed. He spent time on loan at KV Oostende, Vitesse Arnhem, and Sturm Graz before making his move to Union SG in the summer of 2025 for around €2 million, signing a contract until mid-2028.
Over the past season, Scherpen made 43 appearances for Union Saint-Gilloise, keeping 21 clean sheets—a performance that caught the attention of multiple European clubs. His impending transfer to Ipswich follows a period of growing interest from Italian, German, and English sides, with the latter securing his services after a competitive bidding process.
Before finalizing the deal, Scherpen must complete a medical examination. If successful, he will commit to a four-year contract with Ipswich Town, where he will compete for the starting goalkeeper position alongside established names like Christian Walton. The club has also bolstered its squad with the signing of Kayne van Oevelen from FC Volendam, adding further depth to the defensive options.
The move marks a significant milestone in Scherpen’s career, returning him to English football at the highest level after years of development and experience across multiple leagues.