Chelsea complete £52m signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix

Chelsea have completed the signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal reportedly worth £52 million, strengthening their defence ahead of the new season.

The 26-year-old France international has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, keeping him at the club until 2032.

Speaking after completing the move, Lacroix expressed his excitement about joining one of England’s biggest clubs.

“I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club. Everyone knows the legend of Chelsea, its tradition of winning, and to be a part of that is a proud moment.”

The defender also revealed that conversations with Chelsea’s manager convinced him the club shares his ambitions.

“When I spoke with the manager, I saw that we have the same direction and desire for this club.

“We want to win. When you see the quality of the players here and everything around the club, it’s something we can achieve. The ambition is to lift trophies, and I can’t wait to contribute.”

Lacroix arrives after an impressive campaign with Crystal Palace, where he established himself as a key figure in the heart of the defence, making 55 appearances in all competitions.

He played a major role in Palace’s historic triumph in the UEFA Conference League, helping the Eagles secure the club’s first-ever European trophy, before also featuring in their Community Shield victory over Liverpool.

At international level, Lacroix was included in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making three appearances during the tournament, including a start against England in the third-place play-off.

The centre-back joined Palace from VfL Wolfsburg in August 2024 and went on to make 98 appearances across two seasons, earning a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders before sealing his move to Chelsea.