Chelsea signs striker Liam Delap from Ipswich in time for Club World Cup

Ipswich Town's Liam Delap runs into position during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Southampton at the Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich, England, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland, File) — Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap runs into position during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Southampton at the Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich, England, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland, File)

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea signed striker Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich on Wednesday in time to play at the Club World Cup after activating his release clause of 30 million pounds ($40 million).

Chelsea used the opening of a special trading window from June 1-10 to add a center forward to its squad, with the 22-year-old Delap set to provide competition for first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson.

He signed a six-year contract to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2031.

Delap scored 12 league goals — representing one-third of Ipswich’s topflight total last season — and joins a resurgent Chelsea team that finished fourth in the Premier League and won the third-tier Conference League title under manager Enzo Maresca.

“I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach,” Delap told club media. “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.”

Chelsea’s first group-stage match at the Club World Cup, being held in the United States, is against Mexican club Leon on June 16 in Atlanta.

Parse.ly - related stories

Albania fans wait to be searched by police before the Group I Euro 2016 qualifying match between Albania and Serbia in Elbasan, central Albania, Oct. 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu, File)

Albania and Serbia face off in a politically charged World Cup qualifier

The FIFA Club World Cup soccer trophy is displayed Friday, May 16, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

FIFA Club World Cup: When it starts and which teams are playing in soccer’s new-look tournament

Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti directs his players during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Ecuador at Banco Pichincha stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Brazil draws 0-0 with Ecuador in World Cup qualifying in Ancelotti’s debut as coach

Delap, who left Manchester City to join Ipswich in last year’s offseason, was also reportedly interesting Manchester United.

He joined City’s youth academy in 2019 and played on the club’s elite development squad under Maresca, who was then a member of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.

Chelsea’s American ownership group has spent heavily on players — with a particular focus on those in their early 20s — since buying out Roman Abramovich in 2022.

Delap has played for England through the youth levels but not yet for the senior team.

He was named on England’s team for the Under-21 European Championship taking place this month in Slovakia. The final roster is expected Friday.

Delap is also eligible to play for Ireland. His father, English-born Rory Delap, represented Ireland.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer