Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap completes £30m transfer to Chelsea ahead of World Club Championship

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

The England Under-21 international has joined the Conference League winners after they triggered a £30m relegation release clause in his contract.

It brings an end to Delap’s one-season stay at Portman Road, having joined Ipswich from Manchester City 12 months ago in deal thought to be worth up to £20m.

Despite Town’s struggles on their return to the Premier League, the forward’s performances caught the eye. The 22-year-old weighed in with 12 goals – a third of the team’s overall total – and he laid on two assists.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna recently confirmed that the club had granted Delap permission to discuss terms with a number of clubs, with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton all said to have made their pitch to secure the striker’s signature.

However, it is Chelsea that have won the race. Delap has signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge and he will go into the west Londoner’s squad for the Club World Cup, which starts in the USA in a fortnight.

On joining Chelsea, Delap said: “I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach.

“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.’

A statement from Ipswich read: “We thank Liam for his efforts in a Town shirt and wish him the very best going forward.”