Nottingham Forest have signed Liam Delap from Chelsea for a reported £45 million.
Nottingham Forest have made Liam Delap their club-record signing, bringing the Chelsea forward to the City Ground on a five-year contract in a deal reportedly worth £45 million.
The transfer could rise to £50 million with add-ons, surpassing the £37.5 million Forest paid Ipswich Town for Omari Hutchinson last year. It represents a significant show of faith in the 23-year-old, who arrives with plenty to prove after a difficult first season at Chelsea.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Liam Delap! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/U0nCwsVgxW
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 27, 2026
“I really can’t wait to get started, this is a massive club with a big history,” Delap said after completing the move.
The striker also revealed that his conversations with Forest manager Oliver Glasner played a major role in convincing him to make the switch.
“I like his way, I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step,”Delap added, while making clear that he hopes to repay the club’s faith with goals.
A Fresh Start After Chelsea Struggles
Delap’s career has taken an interesting turn since he came through Manchester City’s academy and established himself at Ipswich.
He joined the Tractor Boys in 2024 and enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 campaign, scoring 12 goals in 37 appearances. His performances earned him a move to Chelsea the following year, but things did not go according to plan at Stamford Bridge.
Injuries and inconsistent form restricted his opportunities, with Delap managing just three goals in 47 appearances across all competitions. He was part of Chelsea’s Club World Cup-winning squad but never managed to establish himself as a regular starter.
Forest are now betting heavily on the player who showed much more promise during his time at Ipswich.
