Kjell Scherpen has signed a new Albion deal after his season was ended by surgery.

The Dutch goalkeeper’s new terms with the Seagulls run until June, 2027.

He has been on loan in Austria with Sturm Graz, who have said they would love to repeat that arrangement next season.

Sturm club spokesman Stefan Haller said Scherpen had surgery on a knee ligament issue after playing through the first half of the campaign.

Haller said: “He won’t play any more games for us this season.

“We are currently finalising discussions to extend the loan. The plan is to loan him out again for 2024-25.

“He really wanted to help the team and was able to play without any problems.

“He could have played next year too, but the operation is being carried out to protect him for the future and not to endanger a long-term career.”

In a message to fans via Instagram, Scherpen wrote: “It’s been a great journey so far.

“I wanted to keep on playing as long as possible to give everything for the club and the team.

“Unfortunately, I need to think about my health and future now and have to make a decision to stop and work on my injury.

“I loved every minute that I played for you and the amazing support you were giving in Liebenau and in the away games.”

Announcing the new deal, Albion technical director David Weir said: "Kjell has done really well with Sturm Graz and had a very good first half of the season there, building on last season's loan with Vitesse Arnhem.

"Sturm Graz are second in the table going into the winter break and Kjell has been a key player for the club.

"This new contract is a result of the good progress Kjell has made across both those loan spells, and we are pleased to have furthered his stay with us."

Scherpen bowed out after helping Sturm to third place in their Europa League group.

He described his final game, a 3-0 defeat by Sporting in Lisbon, as an "emotional rollercoaster".