Liam Delap has completed a club-record £50 million transfer from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest, signing a five-year contract with the City Ground club.
The 23-year-old striker joins Forest after just one season at Stamford Bridge, where he scored only one Premier League goal.
Delap will be hoping the move can revive his career and help him rediscover the form he displayed during his breakthrough Premier League campaign with Ipswich Town in the 2024-25 season.
He scored 12 league goals for Ipswich that campaign despite playing for a side that won only four games before being relegated.
His performances attracted Chelsea, who signed him for around £30 million. Just a year later, Chelsea have reportedly made a £20 million profit by selling him to Forest for £50 million.
Delap’s physical strength, pace and ability to carry the ball were among the qualities that made him highly effective at Ipswich.
He recorded 26 shot-ending carries during that campaign, the most by any Premier League striker.
At Forest, Delap will work under manager Oliver Glasner, whom he believes can help him take the next step in his development.
Speaking about the transfer, Delap said:
“This is a massive club with a big history.
“I spoke to the manager and I like his way. I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step.”
Forest will hope Delap can reproduce the form that established him as one of the Premier League’s most promising young strikers and justify the club-record investment made to secure his services.
