Nottingham Forest have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of forward Liam Delap from Chelsea. The 23-year-old has committed to a five-year contract with the Premier League side. While the club did not disclose the financial terms, British media reports indicate a transfer fee of £45 million ($61.08 million), with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons. This move establishes a new club-record transfer for Forest, surpassing the £37.5 million they spent to bring Omari Hutchinson in from Ipswich Town last year.
Delap, the son of former Stoke City midfielder Rory, expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating, “I really can’t wait to get started, this is a massive club with a big history.” He also noted his positive discussions with manager Oliver Glasner, adding, “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 and hopefully I can bring goals here.”
The forward’s career began in the Manchester City academy before he moved to Ipswich in 2024, where he netted 12 goals in 37 appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. Following a move to Chelsea in 2025, Delap was part of the squad that secured the Club World Cup. However, he found consistent playing time difficult to secure due to a combination of injuries and form, ultimately recording three goals in 47 appearances across all competitions for the London club.
Forest, who concluded the previous Premier League season in 16th place, are preparing for their upcoming fixture against Liverpool this Saturday. The report also notes that the deal includes a further £5 million in add-ons.
