Chelsea signs striker Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich
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 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.
Delap, who left Manchester City to join Ipswich in last year's offseason, was also reportedly interesting Manchester United.
Delap has played for England through the youth age grades but not yet for the senior team.
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