Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen has admitted this year will be key, with a potential transfer on the cards next year.
The goalkeeper has been speaking to Krone after completing a loan deal for SK Sturm Graz, the latest in several loan deals for the 23-year-old.
He joined Brighton in a €5m deal from Ajax in July 2021 but is yet to establish himself with the Seagulls, instead moving on loan to Oostende in January 2022.
He then spent last season on loan at Dutch side Vitesse, establishing himself as a regular in the first team and getting the regular game time he needed for his development.
Brighton have shipped him out again this summer, with the arrival of Bart Verbruggen pushing Scherpen down the pecking order once again.
The highly rated young goalkeeper looks likely to be Brighton’s number one for the foreseeable future if he realises the massive potential he has shown over the last year.
That will leave Scherpen with a decision to make on his own future, particularly with his contract at Brighton set to expire in June 2024.
He’s now commented on that fact, admitting this year will be key to him either extending his deal or moving somewhere else permanently.
“A very important year, either I move after that or Brighton extend my contract,” he said.
“For me, the Premier League is the strongest league in the world. To get back there I need games and good performances.
“I had several inquiries, but Sturm tried very hard to make me feel good. I’m a quiet, laid-back guy who’s open to new challenges. But I’m certainly not the main actor, I’d rather stay in the background.”
