Ipswich Town have completed the signing of 26-year-old star player from Union Saint-Gilloise.

Ipswich Town have completed the signing of 26-year-old star player from Union Saint-Gilloise.

Ipswich Town have secured the signing of goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen from Union Saint-Gilloise, the club has confirmed.

The EADT and Ipswich Star understand the Dutch shot-stopper will cost an initial £8.5m, with a further £2.5m in potential add-ons. He has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Portman Road.

Scherpen is expected to step in as Town’s new first-choice goalkeeper, with Kayne van Oevelen, Alex Palmer, and David Button providing support while Christian Walton continues his recovery from injury.

The 26-year-old began his career at local side FC Emmen, where he became a first-team regular during their maiden Eredivisie campaign and played a key role in keeping the club up.

That form earned him a move to Ajax, though his time at Brighton followed—limited to just a single competitive appearance for the Seagulls before loan spells at Oostende, Vitesse, and two separate stints at Sturm Graz.

Scherpen joined Union SG permanently in the summer of 2025 and went on to record the most clean sheets in the Belgian Pro League last season, while also helping the club lift the Belgian Cup.

Speaking about the move, Scherpen said: “This is a very proud moment for me. It’s a great opportunity 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, which has made me very excited to join Ipswich Town. I can’t wait to meet my teammates and the fans, and get started.”

Town manager Gary O’Neil added: “Kjell is a strong addition to our goalkeeping unit and we’re delighted to have him with us. He has experience playing at the top level in several countries, as well as in European competition, and he’s eager to now test himself in the Premier League. We’re excited for him to join the squad and begin preparing for the season ahead.”

Scherpen becomes Ipswich’s sixth summer arrival, following Emersonn (Toulouse, £26m), Van Oevelen (FC Volendam, £3.4m), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester, £20m + £3m add-ons), Issa Diop (Fulham, £8.5m), and Daizen Maeda (Celtic, £8m + £2m add-ons).

The Blues are now turning their attention to signing a new midfielder, preferably one with Premier League experience, with Fulham’s Sasa Lukic understood to be among the names under consideration.