Ipswich Town sign goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen on four-year deal
Synopsis
Ipswich Town have bolstered their Premier League squad with the signing of Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen — a keeper with Champions League group-stage experience across two consecutive seasons, back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga medals, and a Belgian Cup winner's medal. At 26, he arrives at Portman Road as arguably the most decorated of the club's six summer arrivals.
Key Takeaways
Ipswich Town have signed goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a four-year deal running until 2030 .
Scherpen, 26 , becomes Ipswich's sixth summer signing of the transfer window.
The Dutch keeper has Champions League group-stage experience in each of the last two seasons .
He won back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles with Sturm Graz and the Belgian Cup with Union Saint-Gilloise in 2025/26 , making 43 appearances .
Scherpen previously played in England with Brighton & Hove Albion and received a senior Netherlands call-up in June 2022 .
Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a four-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed on 28 July. The 26-year-old will remain at Portman Road until 2030 and becomes the club's sixth summer signing.
A Goalkeeper Forged Across Europe
Scherpen's career path reads like a continental tour. Born in Emmen, Netherlands, he began at hometown club FC Emmen before joining Ajax in the summer of 2019, where he was part of squads that claimed the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup.
He arrived in England in 2021, signing for Brighton & Hove Albion and making his debut in an FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion in January 2022. Loan spells at Oostende in Belgium and Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands followed before he moved to Sturm Graz in Austria, where he helped the club clinch back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles.
Champions League Pedigree
Scherpen featured in the Champions League group stage in each of the last two seasons, including his first group-stage appearance in 2024/25 with Sturm Graz. His consistent form earned him a permanent transfer to Union Saint-Gilloise for the 2025/26 campaign, where he made 43 appearances across all competitions and helped the club defeat Anderlecht to lift the Belgian Cup.
What Scherpen Said
The goalkeeper expressed enthusiasm about the move. 'This is a very proud moment for me,' he said. 'This is a great opportunity for me to show my qualities and test myself in the best league in the world, so I'm really looking forward to making memories together.'
He added: 'I've had great conversations and everything here has been really positive, so it's made me very excited to join Ipswich Town. I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates and can't wait to meet the fans and get started.'
International Recognition
At international level, Scherpen has represented the Netherlands at U19 and U21 level and received his first senior call-up in June 2022, following an injury to Tim Krul.
What This Means for Ipswich
The arrival of an experienced goalkeeper with Champions League exposure signals Ipswich Town's intent to reinforce their squad with proven European quality as they look to establish themselves in the Premier League. Scherpen's broad experience across five clubs in four countries gives the Suffolk side a reliable option between the posts heading into the new season.
Point of View
Two domestic league titles, and a cup winner's medal is not a squad-filler — he is a starting-XI candidate. The real question is what this means for the goalkeepers already at the club, and whether Ipswich's broader summer business reflects a coherent defensive philosophy or simply a collection of available talent. Six signings in one window can be depth-building or it can be noise; the structure behind the recruitment will tell the story by October.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kjell Scherpen?
Kjell Scherpen is a 26-year-old Dutch goalkeeper born in Emmen, Netherlands. He has played for FC Emmen, Ajax, Brighton & Hove Albion, Vitesse Arnhem, Sturm Graz, and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise across his career.
How long is Kjell Scherpen's contract with Ipswich Town?
Scherpen has signed a four-year contract with Ipswich Town, keeping him at Portman Road until 2030.
What trophies has Kjell Scherpen won before joining Ipswich?
Scherpen won the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup with Ajax, back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles with Sturm Graz, and the Belgian Cup with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in 2025/26.
Has Kjell Scherpen played in the Champions League?
Yes. Scherpen featured in the Champions League group stage in each of the last two seasons, including his debut group-stage campaign in 2024/25 with Sturm Graz.
Has Kjell Scherpen been capped by the Netherlands senior team?
Scherpen received his first senior Netherlands call-up in June 2022 following an injury to Tim Krul. He has also represented the Netherlands at U19 and U21 level.
