IPSWICH SIGNED Manchester City forward Liam Delap on Saturday in a deal reportedly worth up to £20 million (€24 million).
Delap agreed a five-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League club.
The 21-year-old is Ipswich’s fourth close-season signing as they prepare for their first top-flight season in 22 years.
He is the son of former Ireland international Rory Delap, and eligible to represent the Republic though has lined out for England at underage level.
“I’m really excited. The manager here likes to play exciting football. It’s quick and intense and I am looking forward to that,” Delap said.
“I want to bring goals and assists and I’ll work as hard as I can to help the team.”
Delap played just six times for City, spending loan spells at Stoke, Preston and Hull in the last two seasons.
“We are delighted to bring Liam to the club. He is a player with outstanding physical and technical attributes who has a hunger to come here and continue to learn and improve,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said.
“He has gained good first-team experience from a young age and we feel he has the potential for development here.”
I don’t know how City keep selling these players for that type money. I’m beginning to think it’s just a figure released to press rather than actual price paid.(8 goals in Championship for 20mil)
He’s rebuffed Ireland a few times as far as I know.
The price tag is abhorrent given the amount of goals he has scored on loan in the championship. He hasn’t looked a player worth a third of that in his overall play. Given what AZ payed for Parrott, a similar fee would possibly be justified, given the two players are about the same level at the moment.
@John Clifford: It’s all due to FFP, they won’t get half that but they can write the total
off. They’re all at it. Villa & Everton just “sold” academy players no one ever heard of for similar money, to each other! Legal loopholes to allow big clubs cheat the rulebook, absolute BS
@John Clifford: 15 million plus a potential 5 million in add ons, he’s 21 with loads of potential, it’s the market unfortunately.
We don’t really need a striker we mainly need midfielders. But I wouldn’t mind if he chose to represent Ireland.
@ashton oriordan: does he have a long throw, our new manager is fond of the long throw tactic
Ask him once and once only if he says no never again
Hopefully some smooth talking Icelandic charm can woo him to play for us. But if he gets to England level, then he’ll choose them due to much greater financial rewards/sponsorship. Evan Ferguson is not guaranteed starting roles in the PL, so ireland need all extra options.
@John Pembroke: right, not because he thinks he’s good enough to be English, or the fact that he was born and raised there, no, he’ll only play for ‘financial’ reasons.
COYBs
Never play for us. He would have long ago if he was interested
@Simon Dwyer: Can’t see him playing for England with his track record in the championship. Maybe next, P. Bramford? Maybe he can get some goals and get capped by England once.
so fed ye y