“Still going for that dream” – Brighton man not giving up on Seagulls, despite major injury layoff

Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen has insisted he’s not given up on the Seagulls, even after suffering a torn cruciate ligament.

Scherpen has been speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, relayed by Soccer News, about his current situation and what it could mean for the future.

Scherpen has been with Brighton since a €5m move from Ajax in July 2021 but has only managed one appearance for the first team so far, instead spending his time on various loan deals with KV Oostende, Vitesse and this season Sturm Graz.

He had established himself with the Austrian side but that has recently come to an end after he and the club elected to send him for surgery on a cruciate ligament injury that he had been playing through in the first half of the campaign.

That appears to have put an end to his season, and it remains to be seen what happens in the summer, when he is due to return to Brighton at the end of his loan spell.

Whether he has a future there is also up for debate after they spent big to sign Bart Verbruggen last summer, but he insists he hasn’t given up on the Premier League dream just yet.

“I felt very good in my first weeks in Graz,” he said.

“I had managed some things last season, but not everything. I was keen to create a strong series. It was not without risks, but specialists said that continuing to play was responsible.

“My cruciate ligament was still attached with a wire. I just had to deal with it properly. That meant putting as little strain as possible by properly training the muscles around the knee. I trained my legs like crazy, especially the hamstrings. That way I could catch it with my legs.

“I only extended my contract with Brighton until 2027. That shows confidence, especially after such an injury.

“Next week I will be 24 years old. The aim is to return stronger to Brighton after a strong season in Graz, also in Europe. So, we are still going for that dream.”