Chelsea have completed the signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
The 22-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge on a six-year deal following an impressive Premier League campaign in which he finished as Ipswich’s top scorer with 12 goals and two assists from 37 appearances.
“I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach,” Delap told Chelsea’s official website. “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.”
Delap will add to the existing forward options available to head coach Enzo Maresca, including Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Christopher Nkunku and Armando Broja.
The transfer means Delap is reunited with Maresca, who worked with him at Manchester City’s Academy.
Ahead of Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at Ipswich in December 2024, Maresca praised the young striker, describing him as a “fantastic player.”
“We spent one year [at City] and he scored 24 goals,” Maresca added. “He’s working hard off the ball. On the ball, he understands the game. He can be an important player for England.”
Delap will also reconnect with two former team-mates from City’s Academy, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer.
Delap joined Derby County’s Academy at the age of six and he spent a decade there before moving to Man City in 2019.
He signed for Ipswich from City in July 2024, quickly establishing himself as a key player in their first season back in the Premier League.
One of Delap’s standout performances came against Chelsea at Portman Road where, he scored a penalty and provided an assist for Omari Hutchinson in what proved to be Ipswich’s only home league win of the campaign.
Internationally, Delap has represented England at Under-21 level, scoring on his debut in a 3–0 win over Luxembourg in a 2025 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier.
He also remains eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
