Chelsea have signed Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap after triggering his £30m relegation release clause (Image: Ross Halls)
Chelsea have signed Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap after triggering his £30m relegation release clause (Image: Ross Halls)
Liam Delap's club-record £30m move from Ipswich Town to Chelsea has been confirmed.
The striker moved to Portman Road from Manchester City for a fee of £15m plus add-ons, having had Championship loan spells at Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City.
Despite never previously boasting a prolific streak in front of goal, he hit red-hot form in Suffolk, bagging 12 goals and two assists in his maiden campaign in the Premier League, attracting interest from top teams in England and abroad.
A £30m relegation release clause made it easier for prospective clubs to sign the 22-year-old, and Town allowed him to meet with them towards the end of the season.
It's understood that Ipswich will receive £20m of the fee up front and have inserted a sell-on clause in the sale.
READ MORE: Mark Ashton on Liam Delap's relegation release clause
Conversations with Manchester United took place before the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City, while David Moyes confirmed that Everton had also been given the chance to negotiate with Delap.
In the end, he chose Chelsea, linking up with Enzo Maresca, who he worked with at Man City. He signs a six-year deal in West London.
The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League last season, qualifying for the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
Delap is expected to feature for England Under-21s at EURO U21 this summer, but reports suggest that Chelsea will ask him to play at the Club World Cup instead. If he does, he could make his debut against MLS outfit LAFC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, June 16th.
"Growing up watching this club, I understand the stature of it and how incredible it has been over the years," he said after signing.
"I wanted to come here to win trophies. When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that.
"The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective."