Michael Verrips

Michael Robin Verrips (born 3 December 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Belgian Pro League club Dender EH.

Club career Verrips began playing youth football for Vitesse. In 2011 he moved to PSV, where he rose through the youth teams in his two years at the club.

After leaving PSV, Verrips signed a one-year deal with FC Twente where, after a season in the youth team, he signed his first professional contract in 2014. However, having played no first team games for Twente, he joined Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam.

During his first season at Sparta Rotterdam, Verrips made appearances mainly for the second team, Jong Sparta. He made his Eredivisie debut for Sparta Rotterdam on 14 May 2017 in a game against Go Ahead Eagles. At the beginning of the 2017–18 season, Verrips signed on loan for Maastricht. Here he finally made a breakthrough, playing all 38 league games, one KNVB Cup match against AZ, and the club's two unsuccessful play-off games against Almere City. Verrips returned to Sparta Rotterdam at the end of the season.

On 1 July 2018, Verrips joined KV Mechelen where in July 2019 he unilaterally terminated his contract due to the conviction for match-fixing.

On 8 August 2019, he joined newly promoted Premier League club Sheffield United on a four-year deal.

On 1 February 2021, Verrips joined Eredivisie side FC Emmen on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

On 11 January 2022, Verrips joined Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, with the option to buy Verrips in the summer.

At the end of the season, Fortuna Sittard exercised the purchase option and signed a three-year contract with Verrips, and then loaned him to Groningen for the 2022–23 season, with an option to buy. The loan was extended for the 2023–24 season. On 12 January 2024, Fortuna Sittard terminated the loan early, due to former starter Ivor Pandur's departure. He soon established himself as the new starter under head coach Danny Buijs. Verrips missed the last few games of the 2023–24 season with an injury, as Luuk Koopmans took over.

On 18 July 2024, Verrips signed a contract with Dender EH in Belgium for two years with an option for a third.

International career Verrips has represented the Netherlands at both under-19 and under-20 level.

Career statistics

Honours Mechelen Belgian First Division B: 2018–19 Belgian Cup: 2018–19