Kjell Scherpen has made history for Ipswich Town by becoming the tallest player ever to feature in a Premier League match. The 6'9" (2.06m) Dutch goalkeeper broke the record on his top-flight debut against Sunderland in the opening game of the 2026-27 season, as reported by ESPN.
Scherpen's debut was part of a winning start for the newly promoted side, who sit 8th in the Premier League with 3 points from their first game. The 1-0 victory gave them a positive goal difference of +1, having scored twice and conceded once so far this campaign.
Who held the previous height record?
The record for the tallest player to have played a Premier League game was previously held by goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon. Pantilimon, who stands 6'8" (2.03m), featured for Manchester City, Sunderland, and Watford during his career in England's top division. Before Scherpen's appearance, the tallest outfield player was former Birmingham City striker Nikola Zigic, who is also 6'8" (2.02m).
Other extremely tall players have been registered with Premier League clubs but never made an appearance. Chelsea's Lucas Bergstrom is 6'9" (2.05m) and Nottingham Forest's Carlos Miguel is 6'8"(2.04m), but neither played a minute.", he now holds a unique place in Premier League history.** The club will hope his shot-stopping ability, demonstrated in Belgium, translates into crucial points as they navigate a demanding schedule. Supporters can view the full squad details, including Scherpen's profile, on our squad page.
