Liam Delap completes club-record £50m move from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest has secured the services of striker Liam Delap in a club-record transfer deal worth £50 million. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract, committing his future to the City Ground.

Delap arrives at Forest after a single season at Chelsea, where his impact was limited to just one Premier League goal. He is now looking to reignite his career and rediscover the prolific form he displayed during his breakout 2024-25 season with Ipswich Town. That campaign saw him net 12 league goals, a remarkable feat for a player in a team that ultimately suffered relegation.

His performances for Ipswich had initially attracted Chelsea, who signed him for approximately £30 million. Now, a year later, Chelsea appears to have recouped their investment and made a £20 million profit by selling him to Nottingham Forest for £50 million.

Delap's strengths, including his physical presence, pace, and ball-carrying ability, were key to his success at Ipswich, where he recorded the most shot-ending carries among Premier League strikers. At Forest, he will work under manager Oliver Glasner, whom Delap believes can foster his development. "This is a massive club with a big history," Delap stated. "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 be hoping Delap can replicate his past scoring form and justify the significant investment, aiming for him to become a key figure in their attack.

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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.