Chelsea have continued their summer spending with the signing of Crystal Palace and France defender Maxence Lacroix in a deal worth £52 million.
The 26-year-old has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after successfully completing his medical on Friday, according to The Athletic.
The move comes just days after Chelsea shattered the British transfer record to sign Morgan Rogers for £117 million, underlining the club’s determination to rebuild after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.
The Blues are keen to strengthen key areas of the squad after finishing 10th in the Premier League, missing out on qualification for European competition for the 2026/27 season. The poor campaign also led to the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, with former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso brought in to oversee the club’s revival.
Lacroix joined Crystal Palace from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial fee of €18 million, with a further €3 million in add-ons. During his two seasons at Selhurst Park, he made 98 appearances and established himself as one of the Eagles’ most reliable defenders.
The Frenchman featured in 55 matches last season, scoring three goals and providing three assists. He also played a key role in Palace’s successful campaign, helping them defeat Liverpool in the Community Shield before lifting the UEFA Conference League title with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano — the club’s first-ever European trophy.
His impressive performances also earned him a place in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Primarily used as cover for William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, Lacroix made three appearances during the tournament, including France’s third-place play-off defeat to England.
