Chelsea sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52m
Chelsea have secured the signing of French defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a £52 million deal. The centre-back, who has seven caps for France, becomes the club’s third signing of the summer. Lacroix played a key role for Palace last season and featured at the 2026 World Cup. His arrival marks a shift in Chelsea’s transfer strategy as they look to add more experience to their squad.
Match highlights
- Maxence Lacroix joins Chelsea from Crystal Palace for £52 million, signing a contract until 2032.
- The 26-year-old made 55 appearances last season and helped Palace win the UEFA Conference League.
- He played three times for France at the 2026 World Cup, including the third-place play-off against England.
- Lacroix is Chelsea’s third summer signing, joining Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra.
- His signing reflects Chelsea’s new approach to bring in more experienced players after a disappointing season.
