It’s always a bit of a whiplash moment when you switch from a muddy Tuesday night League of Ireland game to the sun-drenched villas of reality TV. That’s exactly the pivot Scott van der Sluis made in 2023, swapping his goalkeeping gloves at Shelbourne for the famed firepit on Love Island.

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The Football Chapter

Academy stints at Liverpool and Manchester United before joining Shelbourne in the League of Ireland.

The Love Island Pivot

Left Shelbourne mid-2023 to enter Love Island season 10, exiting the sport entirely.

The 2025 Comeback

Confirmed for Netflix’s Perfect Match season 3 in June 2025, marking a return to reality TV.

Current Status

Free agent since his release from Shelbourne; focus is on his media career.

Label Value
Full Name Scott van der Sluis
Date of Birth 9 January 2001
Age 25
Height 1.85 m
Nationality Welsh
Position Goalkeeper
Love Island Season 10 (2023)
Current Status Free agent (released from Shelbourne FC)

Scott van der Sluis: The Football Career

Born in Connah’s Quay, North Wales, Scott van der Sluis’s path through academy football carried notable weight. He spent time in the youth setups at both Liverpool and Manchester United, though a first-team appearance never materialised at either club. His senior club career saw him join Shelbourne in the League of Ireland, where he signed a new contract in November 2022.

Independent.ie

Bottom line: Scott van der Sluis is a former Liverpool and Manchester United academy prospect who chose reality TV fame with Love Island and later Netflix’s Perfect Match over a first-team football career.

From Shelbourne to Love Island

The transition from the League of Ireland to ITV2’s flagship dating show was not just a career change; it was a total departure. When he left the show mid-way through the 2023 season, he did not just leave a club—he left the sport entirely. At 22 years old, he walked away from a potential football career for the immediate platform of reality TV.

Note: Scott left Shelbourne to enter the Love Island villa in 2023, and he has not returned to professional football since.
Bottom line: He chose the guaranteed exposure of Love Island in 2023 over the uncertain trajectory of a lower-league football career, a decision that defined his public persona.

2025 Comeback: Perfect Match and New Beginnings

Confirmed for Netflix’s Perfect Match season 3 in June 2025, his plans signaled a return to the small screen. His profile has been actively maintained across Instagram and TikTok, and he has been exploring opportunities that blend his sports background with his new reality TV persona.

  • He was confirmed for Netflix’s Perfect Match season 3 in June 2025.
  • His profile has been actively maintained across Instagram and TikTok.
  • He has been exploring opportunities that blend his sports background with his new reality TV persona.
Tip: A 2025 TV Insider/Swooon interview identified him as a Love Island veteran discussing Perfect Match season 3.
Bottom line: In 2025, Scott van der Sluis pivoted back to reality TV, this time with a major Netflix production, signaling his intent to build a durable media career.

Key Timeline

Year Event
2001 Born 9 January in Wales.
2010s Attended academies at Liverpool and Manchester United.
2022 (Nov) Signed a new contract with Shelbourne.
2023 Quit Shelbourne to join Love Island season 10.
2024 Appeared on Netflix’s Perfect Match; announced reality TV sobriety.
2025 (Jun) Confirmed for Netflix’s Perfect Match season 3.

Family Background and Personal Life

His parents’ names have not been publicly disclosed, keeping his family life out of the limelight. Beyond his reality TV appearances, he maintains an active and polished social media presence.

  • He has chosen to keep his family details, including his parents’ names, private.
  • Beyond his reality TV appearances, he maintains an active and polished social media presence.
Warning: No verified public records exist regarding his parents’ names or his ethnicity beyond his Welsh nationality.

Current Status

As of now, Scott van der Sluis is a free agent, having been released from Shelbourne FC. His focus is currently on his media career, particularly his appearances on Netflix.

  • Current Status: Free agent (released from Shelbourne FC).
  • He has not confirmed any immediate plans to return to professional football.
Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, bbc.com, bbc.com, evoke.ie, independent.ie, hellomagazine.com, foxnews.com, thesun.ie, tvinsider.com, mirror.co.uk, mirror.co.uk

FAQ

How tall is Scott van der Sluis?

He stands 1.85 m tall, as listed in his verified profile.

Which club did Scott van der Sluis play for before Love Island?

He played for Shelbourne in the League of Ireland before his Love Island appearance in 2023.

Did Scott van der Sluis play for Manchester United?

He attended the Manchester United academy but never made a first-team appearance for the club.

Is Scott van der Sluis currently playing football?

No, he is currently a free agent and has not been signed by any club since being released from Shelbourne.

Was Scott van der Sluis on any other reality shows before Perfect Match?

He first appeared on Love Island season 10 in 2023 before being confirmed for Netflix’s Perfect Match season 3 in 2025.

Was Scott van der Sluis on Love Island USA or Love Island Games?

Wikipedia’s maintained biography states he later appeared on Love Island USA, Love Island Games, and Love Island: All Stars, though these appearances are not part of his verified 2025 timeline.