Liam Delap leaves Chelsea after one season to join Nottingham Forest

Liam Delap has left Chelsea after one season to join Nottingham Forest, signing a five-year contract with the City Ground club.

The 23-year-old forward made 47 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions after moving from Ipswich Town, scoring three goals and supplying five assists during an underwhelming campaign with the Blues.

Delap said he was attracted by Nottingham Forest’s history and by the opportunity to work under manager Oliver Glasner, whom he believes can help him continue his development.

“This is a massive club with a big history,” said the Englishman.

“I spoke to the manager (Oliver Glasner) 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.

“As a team we can build something really strong and the main aim is to challenge and be a top club in the Premier League.”

The move gives Delap a fresh start after his solitary season at Chelsea, where his contribution amounted to three goals and five assists across his 47 appearances. His departure comes after a campaign described as underwhelming following his arrival from Ipswich Town.

At Nottingham Forest, Delap joins an attacking group that already includes the club’s other latest recruits for the 2026/27 season: attacking midfielder Gustavo Sa, central midfielder Xaver Schlager and centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Forest have also seen several players leave during the same period, including Elliot Anderson and Taiwo Awoniyi, along with others.

The club’s plans for the new season are centred on strengthening the squad and competing at the top end of the Premier League. Delap echoed that ambition in his first comments after agreeing to move to the City Ground, saying the team wanted to build something “really strong” and challenge as a leading Premier League club.

His five-year commitment means Nottingham Forest have secured a long-term agreement with a forward who is still 23 and who now has the chance to establish himself at another Premier League club.

The move also reunites Delap with Glasner, whose approach made a strong impression on the player during discussions over the transfer. Delap said the manager could help him make “that next step” in his development, while also expressing his aim of contributing goals to Forest’s campaign.

Nottingham Forest will begin the 2026/27 season with Delap among their new arrivals, alongside Sa, Schlager and Diomande. The club’s recruitment follows the departures of Anderson, Awoniyi and other players, as Forest seek to build a squad capable of challenging in the Premier League.

The transfer comes with attention already focused on Nottingham Forest from elsewhere in the division. Jeremie Frimpong has called for Liverpool to “sharpen up” against Forest, according to a related report.