Kjell Scherpen (born 23 January 2000) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Ipswich Town.
Club career Emmen Scherpen began his senior career with Emmen in the 2016–17 season.
Ajax
In April 2019, it was announced that Scherpen would sign for Ajax in June 2019. His 'signing video' involved him writing the words "Ajax is de mooiste club van Nederland" (Ajax is the most beautiful club in the Netherlands) 1,000 times, as he had been a childhood supporter of rival club Feyenoord.
Scherpen made his debut for the Ajax senior team on 4 April 2021, as starter Maarten Stekelenburg was injured shortly before kickoff.
Brighton & Hove Albion Scherpen was linked with a loan move to Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle; but, on 16 July 2021, he signed for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion permanently for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 8 January 2022, in a 2–1 (after extra-time) away victory over Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup third round.
On 31 January 2022, Scherpen signed for Oostende of Belgian First Division A on loan for the remainder of the season. He moved on loan to Vitesse in August 2022.
On 6 July 2023, Scherpen signed a season-long loan deal with Austrian Football Bundesliga club Sturm Graz.
In December 2023, Scherpen signed a new contract with the club until 2027. He returned on loan to Sturm Graz for the 2024–25 season.
Union SG On 24 July 2025, Scherpen signed for Belgian Pro League club Union SG for an undisclosed fee.
Ipswich Town In July 2026, he signed for Ipswich Town, on a four-year contract.
International career Having represented the Netherlands at under-19 and under-21 youth levels, Scherpen received his first call-up to the Dutch senior squad in June 2022 to replace the injured Tim Krul.
Personal life When he was 18 years old, his older brother Jorg (20) died after having been in a coma following a sudden cardiac arrest. He is the tallest player in the history of the Premier League.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsEmmen2017–18Eerste Divisie1000——102018–19Eredivisie34010——350Total35010——360Jong Ajax2019–20Eerste Divisie140———1402020–21Eerste Divisie150———150Total290000000290Ajax2019–20Eredivisie0000—00002020–21Eredivisie2010—1040Total2010001040Brighton & Hove Albion2021–22Premier League001000—102022–23Premier League000000—002023–24Premier League000000—002024–25Premier League000000—00Total0010000010Oostende (loan)2021–22Belgian Pro League70———70Vitesse (loan)2022–23Eredivisie26000——260Sturm Graz (loan)2023–24Austrian Bundesliga16030—80270Sturm Graz (loan)2024–25Austrian Bundesliga30040—60400Union SG2025–26Belgian Pro League29030—80400Ipswich Town2026–27Premier League4000000040Career total1780130002302140
Honours Ajax Eredivisie: 2020–21 KNVB Cup: 2020–21 Johan Cruyff Shield: 2019
Sturm Graz Austrian Bundesliga: 2023–24, 2024–25 Austrian Cup: 2023–24
Union SG Belgian Cup: 2025–26
Individual Austrian Bundesliga Goalkeeper of the Season: 2024–25
References