Chelsea have officially signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £52 million. The French defender has signed at Stamford Bridge until 2032, making him Chelsea's third new signing in this transfer window.
Lacroix, aged 26, arrives in London as a member of the French national team. Although he has made seven appearances for the national side, his contribution at the 2026 World Cup was pivotal. He made three appearances, including the match for third place against England, in which France finished in fourth place.
Prior to moving to Crystal Palace in 2024, Lacroix played for Wolfsburg, with the initial fee for that transfer being £15.5 million. He spent only one season in London, during which he was a regular starter under manager Oliver Glasner. The player made a total of 55 appearances for Palace.
His season at Palace was marked by the club's historic achievement. Lacroix was part of the side that won the UEFA Conference League, securing Crystal Palace's first major European trophy in their history. Although the transfer from Wolfsburg was relatively inexpensive, Chelsea paid a significantly higher sum for his arrival.
Following the signing, Lacroix mentioned the names Reece James and Morgan Rogers, suggesting future collaborators or references to playing style. His arrival at Stamford Bridge marks a serious move by Chelsea to strengthen their defensive line for the upcoming season.
