Scherpen heads into the Champions League with Union Saint-Gilloise

Despite his relatively young age, Kjell Scherpen has already accumulated a wealth of experience across several European leagues.

The towering Dutch goalkeeper, known for his 2.06-meter frame and commanding presence in the box, first rose to prominence at FC Emmen, where his performances as a teenager in the Eerste Divisie and later the Eredivisie caught the attention of top clubs in the Netherlands.

Scherpen made a high-profile move to Ajax in 2019, a transfer that sparked discussion due to his youth and relative inexperience at the top level. Although he didn’t become a regular starter for Ajax’s first team, his time in Amsterdam was marked by steady development under the guidance of experienced coaching staff. He featured primarily for Jong Ajax and gained valuable minutes in domestic cup competitions and pre-season tours. Ajax saw him as a long-term project, but his path to the No.1 spot was blocked by André Onana and other more experienced options.

In 2021, Scherpen made the move to the Premier League, joining Brighton & Hove Albion. The English club viewed him as a goalkeeper with great potential and a long-term asset, but once again, first-team opportunities proved hard to come by. Brighton’s established goalkeeping options and the competitive nature of the Premier League meant that Scherpen had to seek playing time elsewhere.

That led to a series of loan spells, starting with KV Oostende in Belgium his first experience outside of Dutch football. Though brief, the spell helped him adapt to the demands of a different footballing culture. He then returned to the Netherlands for a stint at Vitesse, where he enjoyed a more consistent run of games and began to display the maturity and shot-stopping reflexes that once made him one of the country’s most talked-about young goalkeepers.

However, it was at Sturm Graz in Austria where Scherpen truly began to flourish. Over the past two seasons, he racked up 67 appearances across all competitions, becoming a key figure in the club’s domestic and European campaigns. His performances were instrumental in helping Sturm Graz challenge for the Austrian Bundesliga title and earn qualification to European tournaments. The regular playing time and increased exposure not only boosted his confidence but also earned him a call-up to the Netherlands national team a testament to his growth and resilience in the face of early career setbacks.

Now, Scherpen is ready for a new chapter. Union Saint-Gilloise, the reigning champions of Belgium, have secured the 25-year-old on a permanent transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion. The exact fee remains undisclosed, but the deal signals Union’s ambition to strengthen key areas ahead of a historic campaign. This move marks Scherpen’s return to Belgian football, but this time with a higher profile, more experience, and a key role awaiting him.

Union’s decision to bring in Scherpen comes as the club prepares for its biggest season yet. Having won the Belgian Pro League for the first time in over a century, Union Saint-Gilloise will compete in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League a major milestone for the Brussels-based club. With the added challenge of balancing domestic and European fixtures, depth in goalkeeping was essential, and Scherpen’s pedigree made him the ideal choice.

The Dutchman is expected to become Union’s first-choice goalkeeper, bringing not only his physical attributes but also valuable experience from top European competitions and multiple football cultures. His ability to command the box, play out from the back, and make crucial saves under pressure fits well with the dynamic and fearless style of football Union showcased throughout their title-winning campaign.

For Scherpen, this move represents both a reward for perseverance and a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a top-tier goalkeeper. At 25, he still has his prime years ahead, and performing well on the Champions League stage could put him firmly back on the radar of bigger European clubs and perhaps earn him more regular involvement with the Dutch national team under Ronald Koeman.