Chelsea sign 22-year-old Liam Delap from Ipswich Town
Chelsea have completed the signing of 22-year-old striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, with the forward putting pen to paper on a contract that runs until 2031.
The England U-21 international has signed a six-year contract that keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
Delap finished his debut season in the Premier League with 14 goals and assists in 37 appearances for Ipswich Town and stood out as a key player in a struggling Ipswich side that suffered immediate relegation back to the Championship.
Despite interest from other Premier League teams like Manchester United and Everton, both said to have been ready to trigger his release clause, Chelsea beat off competition to secure the former Manchester City forward.
The signing is a major boost for Enzo Maresca’s squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., where Chelsea are set to face Flamengo, LAFC, and ES Tunis in the group stages starting June 14.
“I understand the stature of this club and the direction it’s going in with these players and the head coach,” Delap said in his first interview as a Blue. “It’s the perfect place for me to develop and hopefully win trophies.”
The Blues return to the Champions League next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League and closing the campaign with a dominant 4–1 win over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final, a bright ending to Maresca’s debut year in charge.
Delap arrives at a time when Chelsea are actively reshaping their frontline. Nicolas Jackson netted 10 league goals last season, while Christopher Nkunku is widely expected to leave after a disappointing spell at the club.
The young striker is the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, who came through the ranks at Manchester City but struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s senior squad.
After loans at Stoke, Preston, and Hull, he joined Ipswich last summer in a deal worth up to £20 million following their promotion to the top flight.
Now, with a big move to west London secured, Delap will be hoping to make his mark on the big stage and help Chelsea compete for silverware at home and abroad.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
AAC unveils Oladele, Jaye as Oyo governorship candidate, running mate
The African Action Congress has unveiled Saheed Oladele as its 2027 governorship candidate in Oyo state and Damola Jaye as his running mate.
States
CSO seeks probe of illegal mining in Akwa Ibom’s Stubbs Creek reserve
Community leaders in the affected area decried the spate of unregulated mining activities.
Africa
Police launch probe as Ugandan female varsity student found dead in hostel
The deceased was studying Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance.
NationWide
Tinubu transmits national research, development fund Bill to Senate
Mr Tinubu stated, “It is my hope that the Senate will consider the bill and its passage into law expeditiously.”
Abuja
Court discharges two Abuja motorists charged with reckless driving, obstruction
Ms Okonkwo however warned them to refrain from causing road obstruction and be of good behaviour.
Health
Katsina govt boosts family planning to curb maternal, child deaths
The Katsina government says it is strengthening family planning services and access to contraceptive commodities to reduce maternal and child mortality.
