Nottingham Forest raise transfer record with Liam Delap move from Chelsea

Nottingham Forest have signed Chelsea forward Liam Delap in a club-record deal worth €52.5m, with the England international agreeing to stay at the club until the summer of 2031.

The transfer, reported by Sport, makes Delap the most expensive player in Nottingham Forest’s history. The club have paid Chelsea €52.5m to secure the 22-year-old, who joined the London side only in June 2025.

Delap arrived at Chelsea after an impressive season with Ipswich Town. Although Ipswich were relegated from the Premier League, the striker scored 12 goals in the competition and established himself as one of the division’s most effective young forwards.

Chelsea paid €35.5m to sign Delap from Ipswich Town. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he made 47 appearances for the Blues, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

Nottingham Forest believe Delap can rediscover the goalscoring form he showed at Ipswich Town. The club are aiming to return to European competition and view the forward as an important addition for that challenge.

Forest competed in Europe last season, reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. Delap’s arrival is therefore intended to strengthen a squad looking to remain involved at the highest level domestically while seeking another route into European football.

The move brings an unexpectedly brief end to Delap’s time at Chelsea. He had joined the club after demonstrating his Premier League qualities with Ipswich, but his record transfer to Nottingham Forest means he will now continue his career elsewhere after 47 appearances for Chelsea.

Forest announced the signing with the message: “Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Liam Delap! ✍️”

The €52.5m fee represents a significant increase on the amount Chelsea paid for the forward, and makes Delap the central figure in the biggest transfer in Nottingham Forest’s history. The club will now hope the long-term agreement allows him to reproduce the finishing ability that produced 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich Town despite their relegation.

His spell at Chelsea yielded three goals and four assists from 47 matches, while his previous campaign at Ipswich had brought a much stronger return in front of goal. Nottingham Forest’s confidence in his ability to recover that form is central to the decision to make such a substantial investment.

Delap’s contract runs through to the summer of 2031, giving Nottingham Forest a long-term commitment to a player they believe can contribute to their ambitions in European competition.