Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Liam Delap from Chelsea in a club-record deal worth an initial £45 million, with the total fee potentially reaching £50 million if all add-ons are met.
The 23-year-old forward has committed his future to Forest on a five-year contract that will keep him at the City Ground until 2031. His arrival makes him the most expensive player in the club’s history, moving ahead of the previous record held by Omari Hutchinson.
Delap’s move comes after a difficult spell at Chelsea. Having joined the London club from Ipswich Town in 2025, the striker struggled to find consistency and finished last season with just two goals in 41 appearances. With limited opportunities under Xabi Alonso, a fresh start quickly became the logical next step.
Nottingham Forest saw an opportunity to bring the forward back to his best. The club reportedly identified Delap as a priority, with hopes that he can reproduce the form that made him one of England’s most exciting young forwards during his time at Ipswich.
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Before making the switch to Chelsea, Delap enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 Premier League campaign with Ipswich, finding the net 12 times and establishing himself as a major attacking threat.
Now, Forest are betting on that version of Delap returning. The striker arrives with plenty to prove and will be looking to secure a regular starting spot while making an immediate impact in the Premier League.
For Delap, the move represents a chance to put his Chelsea struggles behind him and restart his career on a fresh note. For Forest, their record investment comes with the expectation that their new forward can deliver the goals and performances that justified such a significant outlay.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Liam Delap! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/U0nCwsVgxW
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 27, 2026