Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Liam Delap on a six-year deal from relegated Ipswich Town after meeting his £30million release clause.
Delap, who scored 12 goals for the Tractor Boys this campaign, rejected offers from Premier League giants Manchester United and Newcastle in favour of a move to Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old was also shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Delap spent time working together at Manchester City, which will have undoubtedly helped his decision to join the Blues.
It's official. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 4, 2025
The striker has joined in time to make his debut for Chelsea in the Club World Cup, commencing on June 15.
On the transfer, Delap said: “I wanted to come to Chelsea to win trophies.
“When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top with a desire to keep adding trophies, take the club back to where it belongs, that’s the main objective.”
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Liam Delap has joined Chelsea for a fee of £30million
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The young forward continued: “I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach.
“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”
The Manchester City connection at Chelsea grows stronger, as Delap joins Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia, along with boss Maresca, who have previously spent time at the Etihad.
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Chelsea had been in desperate need of a striker, scoring the least amount of goals out of any team that finished in the top five this season (64).
Additionally, current striker Nicolas Jackson scored just 10 league goals this campaign.
His season ended disappointingly after an elbow on Newcastle’s Sven Botman in a crucial six-pointer for the Champions League saw the 23-year-old receive his marching orders.
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Nicolas Jackson received a red card in his last appearance for Chelsea
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Ironically, both clubs qualified for the tournament despite the red card, but it was nearly costly for the Blues, who lost the match 2-0.
It meant the end of Senegalese’s season, seeing him suspended for the remaining two games.
Chelsea’s transfer windows have been characteristically chaotic under the ownership of Todd Boehly, and Delap is the first incoming of a summer that promises to be the same.
They are currently negotiating with AC Milan over the transfer of French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, although the two teams are far apart in the Frenchman’s valuation.
The Blues also recently had to pay a penalty fee of £5million to Manchester United, as they refused the option to sign Jadon Sancho from the Red Devils on a permanent deal due to his wage demands.
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