Conference League champions, Chelsea, have completed the signing of England U21 international striker, Liam Delap, from relegated Ipswich Town on Wednesday, after activating the 22-year-old’s £30m release clause.
“Chelsea is delighted to announce the transfer of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, with the striker signing a contract until 2031,” the London club revealed in a statement following confirmation of the transfer.
Delap rose to prominence after making promising appearances under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, before moving to then newly-promoted Ipswich Town and proving his mettle by scoring 12 league goals in the 2024-25 season for the Tractor Boys.
This will be the second time Delap will work with Enzo Maresca. The striker started his career in Derby County’s academy before joining Man. City in 2019, spending a season with the club’s Under-18s before playing under Maresca’s watch at City’s Elite Development Squad.
Delap would go on to score 24 goals in 20 Premier League 2 appearances for City, playing alongside Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia at the time. He scored on his senior debut for City in a League Cup tie and made his Premier League debut against Leicester City afterwards.
After loan spells at Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City between 2021 and 2024, Delap made the permanent switch to Portman Road, making 37 appearances for the club.