Stoke City have confirmed the signing of Manchester City 19 year old striker – Liam Delap on a season long loan, per reports from David Ornstein.
The 19 year old joins a long list of Man City youngsters on loan at several clubs across Europe. The list includes the likes of James McAtee, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Callum Doyle, Tommy Doyle, James Trafford, Yan Couto and Issa Kabore. The 19 year old has agreed terms with Stoke City and the deal is expected to be finalized in the coming days. The deal will be without an option or obligation to buy as City are only sending him out on loan to aid his development.
Pep Guardiola had all but confirmed this transfer on Friday in his pre-match presser ahead of the Bournemouth clash. Liam Delap is in the process of being loaned out by #ManCity this summer, Pep Guardiola has confirmed. “We loaned ‘Macca’, Liam is in that process because we have Erling and Julian and he needs minutes. The EDS phase is done. He has to try and go there and play”, Pep said.
Delap joined City academy back in 2019 and has since impressed with the Man City Elite Development Squad, scoring 46 goals and providing a further 16 assists in less than 60 appearances for the side. Delap also scored on his debut for Man City first team, scoring in the 18th minute in an EFL cup match against Bournemouth. The player has unfortunately seen his first team chances thwarted by injuries.
With a move to Stoke City, the player is expected to gain first team experience and be ready to be a main stay in the City set up at some point in the future as several bids for a permanent deal were rejected.