Chelsea have secured the £30million signing of Ipswich striker Liam Delap.
The 22-year-old joins the Blues after just one season of Premier League football, during which he scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for Ipswich.
Despite his efforts, Ipswich finished second from bottom and were relegated to the Championship.
This triggered a £30million relegation release clause in Delap’s contract, with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Newcastle all reportedly willing to meet the fee.
“It’s a lifetime of graft,” he says. “Since I was eight or nine years old, I was focused on football. I never wanted to do anything else, and I’ve given everything I could to make it happen.
“It’s such a long and hard period and things can be tough for you, but I’ve always enjoyed it. I just love football; I’d be playing with my mates if I wasn’t a professional.
“Fortunately, I’m alright at it – and I’m delighted that graft has worked out and I’m here now at Chelsea.”
“The most important thing for me last summer was going somewhere where I could play a lot of minutes,” he added.
“That was the opportunity I felt I needed, to go and express myself and show the player I am. Ipswich gave me that opportunity, which was so important, and I’m very grateful for that.”
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