Nottingham Forest Sign Liam Delap in Club-Record £45m Deal

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of striker Liam Delap from Chelsea in a club-record £45 million transfer. The 23-year-old has agreed a five-year contract, according to reporting by PA Media published by The Guardian on Thursday. The agreement makes him Forest's record signing.

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Delap arrives as a priority signing for Forest's new manager, Oliver Glasner. The forward said he was eager to begin work at a club he described as having a significant history, and indicated that his conversations with Glasner had helped convince him the move could support the next stage of his development. He also expressed hope that he would add goals for Forest.

The move gives Delap a third club in three seasons. Chelsea signed him from Ipswich Town for £30 million a year ago, but his time at Stamford Bridge produced two goals in all competitions. The reported £45 million transfer means Chelsea have made a profit on the striker after one season.

According to the same report, Delap had been training separately from Chelsea's main group after being told he was not part of head coach Xabi Alonso's plans. His No. 9 shirt at Chelsea was reassigned to João Pedro before the forward completed his transfer to Forest.

Delap, a former England youth international, joins Forest in time to be eligible for Saturday's match against Liverpool. The report said it had not yet been decided whether Glasner would immediately put the new signing into his team, leaving the timing of Delap's debut uncertain.

For Forest, the completed deal secures the attacking target their manager identified during the transfer window and does so on a long-term contract. For Delap, it brings an end to a short stay at Chelsea and opens another Premier League chapter after his moves from Ipswich to Chelsea and now to the City Ground. The central confirmed details are the record £45 million fee, the five-year agreement and his immediate availability for selection.