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Ipswich Town have completed their move for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise number one and Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen to Portman Road until Summer 2030 on a 4 year deal. The 26-year-old has become Gary O’Neill’s 6th signing of the Summer who hope that they have assembled a Premier League squad ready for the 2026/27 season A Keeper With European Experience A distinguished pedigree is well represented in Suffolk – Scherpen has played in the UEFA Champions League group stages in each of the last two seasons, and in the top flight divisions of Netherlands, England, Austria and Belgium in his career so far which includes spells with Ajax, Vitesse Arnhem, Sturm Graz and most recently Brighton & Hove Albion – first team debut in FA Cup triumph over West Bromwich Albion. The 6ft 9in keeper, born in Emmen, began his senior career at hometown side FC Emmen, before penning terms with Ajax in 2019, where he formed part of the successful Eredivisie & KNVB Cup-winning squads during his two-year stint at Amsterdam’s de Johan Cruijff Arena. Loans followed in Belgian outfit Oostende, Dutch division Vitesse Arnhem and Austrian champions Sturm Graz, where Scherpen helped his side claim back-to-back domestic titles as well as a route to the group stage of the Champions League for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign. His performances at Austria’s Sturm Graz tempted Union Saint-Gilloise into making the ‘stopper a more permanent affair for their upcoming 2025/26 season, during which he represented the Brussels club 43 times, playing his part in a club win for the Belgian Cup. Scherpen’s First Words as a Blue Scherpen spoke to Town TV for the first time after signing with Ipswich Town : “This is a very proud moment for me. 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.” “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.” O’Neil on the Signing Gary O’Neil comments on the signing of Scherpen “Kjell is a strong addition to our goalkeeping unit and we’re delighted to have him with us.He has experienced playing at the top level in different countries, as well as in European competitions, and is excited to now have the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League.” “We’re looking forward to him joining up with the rest of the squad and begin to prepare for the season with us.” What Comes Next Scherpen will link up with his new teammates on Playford Road, where Town are beginning to ready themselves for a challenge in the 2026/27 Premier League season. Scherpen’s arrival is a great addition due to the size and strength in the goalkeeping department, along with the addition of invaluable European experience to The Blues as Ipswich prepare to step back into England’s top tier.