Chelsea complete Liam Delap signing from Ipswich on six-year contract - 'I understand the stature of this club'

Chelsea have secured the signature of Ipswich Town No. 9 Liam Delap, who joins The Blues for a fee reported to be in the region of £30 million and has signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge. Delap was a target for several clubs both in England and across Europe, but made it clear that he preferred a move to Enzo Maresca's side. Ipswich were relegated and will be in the Championship next season.

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Chelsea have confirmed the signing of forward Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich Town on a six-year contract.

Delap was a target for the likes of Premier League sides Manchester United and Newcastle United, and even on the radar for Serie A clubs AC Milan and Juventus - but the striker reportedly made it clear he favoured a move to Enzo Maresca's Blues.

Despite Ipswich languishing at the bottom of the table for the entirety of the campaign and eventually suffering relegation, Delap impressed as he netted 12 league goals for the struggling side.

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"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 joined Ipswich from Manchester City in July 2024 for an initial £15m after their promotion to the top flight.

His father Rory played for Republic of Ireland 11 times. Delap has represented England at youth level, but is eligible to represent Republic of Ireland.

Delap has been compared to a "young Alan Shearer," and former Blues midfielder Joe Cole even said he will be "stunned if he isn’t at Chelsea."

Chelsea finished their maiden season under Maresca strongly, clinching UEFA Champions League football with a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League and lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy with a 4-1 win over Real Betis.

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