Chelsea have completed the signing of France international defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £52 million.
According to BBC Sport, the 26-year-old centre-back has signed a contract with the Blues until 2032, becoming the club’s third signing of the summer transfer window.
Lacroix joined Crystal Palace from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2024 for an initial fee of £15.5 million and quickly established himself as a key figure under manager Oliver Glasner.
The defender made 55 appearances across all competitions last season as Palace lifted the UEFA Conference League title, securing the club’s first major European trophy.
He also represented France three times at the 2026 World Cup, including the third-place play-off defeat by England, as Les Bleus finished fourth.
Lacroix joins Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra as Chelsea’s summer arrivals as the club prepares for its first campaign under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea made the Frenchman a priority target after concerns over defensive inconsistency and a desire to add greater physical presence, experience and leadership to their backline.
The Blues had considered alternatives, including former Manchester City defender John Stones and Como centre-back Jacopo Ramon, but Lacroix eventually emerged as their preferred option.
Negotiations with Crystal Palace over the transfer fee and personal terms were prolonged, but Lacroix gave his approval for the move after France’s World Cup campaign concluded.
His arrival signals a shift in Chelsea’s recruitment strategy following a disappointing season in which they finished 10th in the Premier League and ended the campaign without silverware.
Co-owner Behdad Eghbali had previously suggested that the club would adjust its approach by adding more experienced players to a squad built around young talents such as Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill.
Lacroix becomes the oldest player signed by Chelsea under the current ownership group, underlining the club’s intention to introduce more established figures into the team.
Chelsea had also explored a move for Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, although the deal failed to materialise.
Alongside Morgan Rogers, who recently turned 24, Lacroix’s arrival represents Chelsea’s effort to add more ready-made players capable of making an immediate impact ahead of the new season.
