Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Liam Delap from Chelsea, handing the highly rated striker a five-year contract as they look to strengthen their attacking options for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The 23-year-old arrives on Trentside with a growing reputation and significant top-flight experience already under his belt.
Delap spent the previous campaign at Stamford Bridge, making 47 appearances across all competitions.
His European adventure also included five UEFA Champions League outings, with the forward opening his account in Europe’s elite competition during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Barcelona.
Now, Forest are betting on his goals, physical presence and continued development.
Delap’s rise accelerated during the 2024/25 season when he became Ipswich Town’s leading scorer after helping the club compete in the Premier League following a 22-year absence from the top flight.
His 12 goals that campaign underlined his ability to make an impact at senior level and eventually earned him a move to Chelsea.
But his football education began much earlier.
Delap joined Manchester City’s academy at just 16 and quickly made people take notice.
He scored on his senior debut against Bournemouth in the EFL Cup aged 17 before making his Premier League bow against Leicester City just three days later.
His numbers for City’s Under-21 side were even more eye-catching. During the same campaign, he produced 27 goals in only 22 appearances.
Forest see more than just a goalscorerA successful loan spell with Hull City during the 2023/24 campaign paved the way for Delap’s permanent move to Ipswich.
His performances there earned widespread recognition, with the striker collecting the Players’ Player, Young Player and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards for the 2024/25 campaign.
Forest now believe they have secured a forward capable of taking another major step in his career.
Speaking after completing the move, Delap made his ambitions clear: “I really can’t wait to get started, this is a massive club with a big history.
“I spoke to the manager 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.
“I can’t wait to hear the noise at the City Ground and have the fans on my side because I know how loud and important they are.
“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.”
George Syrianos, Forest’s Chief Football Officer, believes the club have landed a player with both potential and experience.
“Liam is a top talent and someone we have been monitoring for some time, and we are delighted he is joining us.
“He is a young player but already has plenty of experience at different levels of the game, and he has come here hungry to develop further and play a part in helping the club achieve its ambitions.
“He understands the demands of this division and wants to make an immediate impact, so we are all looking forward to seeing him in a Forest shirt.”
Delap has also represented England consistently throughout his youth career, progressing from the Under-16s to the Under-21s.
He was part of the England side that won the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, adding international silverware to an increasingly impressive young career.
Delap gets No.19 shirt at ForestThe new Forest striker will wear the No.19 shirt during the 2026/27 season.
For Forest, this is more than another squad addition. Delap arrives with Premier League experience, European exposure and a proven record of scoring goals.
The challenge now is turning that promise into consistent production at the City Ground.
If Forest can unlock his next level, Delap could quickly become one of the defining pieces of their attacking project.
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