Nottingham Forest Sign Delap from Chelsea for £45 Million
Nottingham Forest have made their statement signing of the summer, completing a deal for Delap from Chelsea worth an initial £45 million, with a further £5m in potential add-ons.
The 23-year-old striker has signed a long-term contract that runs until 2031, ending his Chelsea stay after just a single season. The move delivers an instant windfall for the Blues, who paid around £30m to bring him in from Ipswich Town in June 2025 and now bank a £20m profit.
Delap buys into Glasner’s vision
Delap arrives at the City Ground talking like a player who wants to be at the heart of a project, not just another name on a squad list.
"I really can't wait to get started, this is a massive club with a big history," he told club media after the deal was confirmed.
He has already sat down with head coach Oliver Glasner and made it clear he believes Forest is the right place to sharpen his game.
"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," he said.
The City Ground’s noise is part of the attraction.
"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."
That is the bar he has set on day one.
A proven threat despite Chelsea struggle
On paper, Forest are paying elite money for a striker who scored just once in the league last season. The numbers at Chelsea were underwhelming, but his reputation was forged at Ipswich, where he thrived even as the team went down in the 2024-25 campaign.
Delap hit 12 league goals for Ipswich in that relegation season, carrying much of the attacking burden. His direct running carved open defences: he produced 26 shot-ending carries, the highest figure among all Premier League strikers that year.
Pace. Power. Aggressive ball-carrying. That blend persuaded Forest to push hard and pay big.
Battle lines drawn up front
Life at Forest will not come with guarantees. Delap walks into a crowded centre-forward department, with Chris Wood, Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo all fighting for the same role.
That internal battle could start immediately. The new signing is in line to feature as early as this weekend, when Forest head to Anfield to face Liverpool. Glasner’s side need a response after back-to-back defeats to Leeds United in both their Premier League opener and the Carabao Cup.
Anfield is a brutal place to find your feet. It is also the kind of stage on which a £45m striker can announce himself in one ruthless moment.
Forest have paid for a forward who can bully defenders and finish cold. Now the City Ground will demand proof that Delap is exactly that.
