Chelsea have beaten off competition from Premier League rivals to sign English striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town on Wednesday for a reported fee of £30 million.
Delap, 22, scored 12 Premier League goals in his only season at Portman Road but could not stop Ipswich from being relegated to the Championship.
Manchester United and Everton had also reportedly activated the England Under-21 international’s release clause, but Chelsea secured the deal, strengthening their forward line ahead of this month’s Club World Cup in the United States.
Delap, who has signed a six-year contract, said in a club statement: “I understand the stature of this club and the direction it’s heading with these players and the head coach. It’s an incredible place for me to grow, and I hope to achieve great things and help win more trophies.”
Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League and will return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence. Enzo Maresca’s side also claimed silverware last week by beating Real Betis 4–1 in the Conference League final.
The Blues spent much of December close behind eventual champions Liverpool before a mid-season slump. They recovered to clinch a top-five finish, though their lack of a reliable goalscorer was evident.
Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson netted just 10 times in 30 league appearances, while Christopher Nkunku is expected to leave after two disappointing seasons.
Delap, the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, began his career at Manchester City but struggled to break into the first team. Following loan spells at Stoke, Preston and Hull, he joined Ipswich in a deal worth up to £20 million after their promotion in 2024.
Despite Ipswich’s immediate relegation, Delap stood out as one of their few bright spots.
Chelsea will face Flamengo, LAFC and ES Tunis in the Club World Cup group stage, which begins on June 14.