Chelsea has officially announced the signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for a fee of £30 million. The 22-year-old forward has signed a six-year contract with the club, committing to Stamford Bridge until 2031. His move comes after Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League, which activated a release clause in his contract.

Delap, who scored 12 goals in 37 appearances during his first Premier League season, attracted interest from several clubs, including Manchester United and Newcastle. However, Chelsea acted swiftly to secure his services, paying £20 million upfront with the remainder to be settled in installments. Additionally, Ipswich has included a sell-on clause in the deal, reflecting Delap's potential value in the future.

Expressing his excitement about the transfer, Delap stated, “I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach.” He emphasized his desire to help Chelsea win trophies, having grown up watching the club's historic achievements.

Delap's signing marks Chelsea's second acquisition of the summer, following the arrival of midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon. The young striker is expected to make his debut during the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, with the potential to feature against LAFC on June 16.

Delap will reunite with former Manchester City academy teammates Cole Palmer and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, reinforcing the club's focus on integrating talented young players into their setup. As Chelsea aims to build a competitive squad for the new season, Delap's physicality and goal-scoring ability are anticipated to enhance their attacking options.