Ipswich Town have pulled off a £3.4m deal to sign Dutch goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen from FC Volendam, bolstering their Championship squad with a 22-year-old shot-stopper who impressed in the Eredivisie last season.
What’s the transfer fee and contract length?
The Blues will pay €4m (around £3.4m) for van Oevelen, who completed his medical on Tuesday and put pen to a five-year contract. He’s already joined his new teammates at their pre-season camp in La Manga, ready to compete for a starting spot in Gary O’Neil’s goalkeeping unit.
Who is Kayne van Oevelen?
Van Oevelen, 22, grew up in Zaandam and came through the ranks at Amsterdamsche FC before joining Volendam’s youth set-up in 2021. He broke into the first team in 2024 and quickly became their number one, making 32 Eredivisie appearances last season. Standing at 6ft 6ins, he led the Dutch top flight in save percentage (74.5%) and averaged 4.70 saves per 90 minutes, despite Volendam’s relegation after losing to Willem II in the promotion play-offs.
Why does Ipswich Town need a new goalkeeper?
The Blues are chasing a Premier League return and have already added two summer signings, including the £26m capture of Emersonn from Toulouse. Van Oevelen becomes the second Dutchman in the Ipswich squad, following Azor Matusiwa, and slots into a competitive goalkeeping group. O’Neil said: “He’s a young keeper who’s tasted senior football and wants to keep progressing in England. He’ll strengthen us in that area.”
What’s next for van Oevelen and Ipswich Town?
The club remains in talks over a second Dutch goalkeeper, Kjell Scherpen of Union SG, as they build depth ahead of the new campaign. With Ipswich sitting second in the Championship on 84 points from 46 games and 11 points behind leaders Coventry, every signing counts as they chase automatic promotion. Recent form reads WDDWD, while they’ve already scored 80 goals and conceded 47, leaving them with a +33 goal difference.
Van Oevelen added: “As soon as I knew Ipswich were interested, it was the move I wanted. I’m excited to be here, learn from everyone, and get started at a big club.”
