Nottingham Forest Complete Club-Record Signing of Liam Delap

The England forward has signed a five-year contract with Forest and will wear the No. 19 shirt at the City Ground. The deal is understood to consist of an initial £45 million fee, with a further £5 million available in add-ons.

The move brings an end to Delap's brief spell at Chelsea, where he joined from Ipswich Town last summer for around £30 million.

Delap gets fresh start at Forest

The 23-year-old struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, managing only three goals in 47 appearances across competitions. His limited impact, combined with injuries and competition for places, eventually opened the door to a departure.

Forest have moved decisively to secure his services as they look to strengthen their attacking options. The transfer makes Delap the club's most expensive signing, surpassing the £37.5 million they paid for Omari Hutchinson the previous year.

Delap previously demonstrated his goalscoring ability during his time at Ipswich, scoring 12 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season despite the club ultimately being relegated.

Forest hoping Delap can rediscover his form

Forest will be hoping the move provides Delap with the platform to rediscover the form that made him one of England's most highly regarded young strikers.

The forward began his senior career at Manchester City before gaining experience through loan spells and eventually making a permanent move to Ipswich. His performances there earned him a move to Chelsea, although his time in west London failed to produce the expected breakthrough.

Forest's investment represents a major vote of confidence in his ability to bounce back.

The club have now added another significant attacking option as they look to improve on last season's 16th-place Premier League finish.

For Delap, the move offers an opportunity to start again and establish himself as a key figure at a club prepared to make him one of its central attacking players.