Chelsea confirm £30m Liam Delap arrival from relegated Ipswich after seeing off transfer competition from Man Utd

The Blues have won the transfer battle for upcoming English No.9 Delap, signing him from Ipswich on a six-year deal, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The official statement from the club read: "Chelsea is delighted to announce the transfer of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, with the striker signing a contract until 2031."

The west London side have agreed to trigger the £30 million ($40m) release clause in Delap's contract and will pay £20m of the fee up front. The Tractor Boys will also hold a sell-on clause as part of the agreed deal, according to The Athletic.

After signing for the Premier League giants, Delap told the club's official website: "It’s a lifetime of graft. 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."

Delap is likely to be part of Enzo Maresca's travelling squad that will jet off to the US later this month to take part in the Club World Cup. The Blues take on LAFC in their tournament opener on June 16.