Liam Delap says his loan at Hull City helped him earn his move to Chelsea after the powerful forward sealed a £30m move from relegated Ipswich Town.
Delap spent last season on loan in East Yorkshire from Manchester City and caught the eye under Liam Rosenior after a couple of low-key moves to Stoke City and Preston North End, before moving to Ipswich Town in a permanent switch following their promotion to the top flight.
The Derby-born striker bagged an impressive 12 goals in one of the poorest sides in the Premier League, and his performances caught the eye of a host of top clubs. A £30m relegation clause in his deal at Portman Road alerted a flurry of suitors, but it was Chelsea and his former youth boss at the Etihad Stadium, Enzo Maresca, who eventually won the race to sign the 22-year-old marksman.
Delap has penned a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will wear the number nine jersey. Despite the forward being involved in England's Under-21 squad for the upcoming European Championships, it's likely he'll pull out of that tournament to play for the Blues in the Club World Cup, which gets underway in the USA later this month.
"I had a few loans and I learned a lot from them," the forward said. "You are a mixture of all these different experiences, so I’ve taken little bits from everywhere I’ve been and then built it together as one. I’m always learning and developing.
"The most important thing for me last summer was going somewhere where I could play a lot of minutes. That was the opportunity I felt I needed, to go and express myself and show the player I am. Ipswich gave me that opportunity, which was so important, and I’m very grateful for that.
"Growing up watching this club, I understand the stature of it and how incredible it has been over the years. 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."
Delap was loved by Tigers fans for his hard-working displays, and he says it's that commitment to hard work which has played a big part in getting such a big move.
"It’s a lifetime of graft," he continued. "Since I was eight or nine years old, I was focused on football. I never wanted to do anything else, and I’ve given everything I could to make it happen. It’s such a long and hard period and things can be tough for you, but I’ve always enjoyed it. I just love football; I’d be playing with my mates if I wasn’t a professional. Fortunately, I’m alright at it – and I’m delighted that graft has worked out and I’m here now at Chelsea."
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