‘Not Scherpen, but Verbruggen first goalkeeper Jong Oranje’

Bart Verbruggen will defend the Young Oranje goal during the European Championship in Georgia, which starts tomorrow. Although Vitesse goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen played all the qualifying matches, Anderlecht’s goalkeeper will get the trust of national coach Erwin van de Looi.

“It was a very difficult decision,” Van de Looi explained. “Kjell just did very well in qualifying and also saved us with crucial saves. Bart has just done an excellent job in recent months. Developed well and he has qualities that fit our style of play. It’s a choice between good and better.”

The 20-year-old Verbruggen broke through at Anderlecht last season and made an immediate impression there. After being given the chance under the crossbar in December, he did not disappear from the starting line-up. Verbruggen thus aroused the interest of several foreign clubs.

Among others, Manchester United and Burnley are said to have inquired at Anderlecht to take over the goalkeeper. However, Brighton & Hove Albion seems to be winning the battle for the signature. The number six of the Premier League wants to pay 20 million euros. It would make Verbruggen the most expensive goalkeeper in the Belgian league ever.

Verbruggen played in the youth of NAC Breda. In 2020, he moved to Anderlecht for about 300,00 euros. He started as Anderlecht’s third goalkeeper, but made his debut in Anderlecht’s first team in May 2021.

In March of this year, he was selected for Orange by national coach Ronald Koeman. He only had to leave the training camp with some teammates early with a viral infection.

Jong Oranje starts the European Championship tomorrow with the match against the Belgium peers. Later, the team will also meet Young Portugal and host Young Georgia in the group stage.