Kjell Scherpen

Kjell Scherpen is a Dutch goalkeeper born in Emmen on 23 January 2000, and his 2.06-metre frame has shaped a career built around reach and shot-stopping. He developed at FC Emmen and made his senior breakthrough in 2018–19, starting all 34 of the club’s Eredivisie matches and keeping five clean sheets. Ajax signed Scherpen in June 2019, and he spent much of his first two seasons with Jong Ajax while also making senior appearances in the KNVB Cup and Europa League. He moved to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 before beginning a series of loans, with spells at Oostende, Vitesse and Sturm Graz. At Vitesse, he made 26 Eredivisie appearances, while Sturm Graz brought his most decorated period, including Austrian Bundesliga titles in 2023–24 and 2024–25 and the 2023–24 Austrian Cup. Scherpen was also named Austrian Bundesliga Goalkeeper of the Season for 2024–25. His club path has included Union Saint-Gilloise and Ipswich, while he has represented the Netherlands at youth level.