Chelsea have completed the signing of France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £51 million, with the centre-back becoming the Blues’ latest addition during a busy summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after impressing in his opening two Premier League seasons, helping Crystal Palace lift both the FA Cup and UEFA Conference League following his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2024.
Lacroix’s move takes Chelsea‘s spending beyond £250 million this summer and also represents a notable shift in the club’s recent recruitment strategy.
The Frenchman is the first player aged 26 or older for whom Chelsea have paid a transfer fee since 2022, highlighting a greater willingness to invest in established experience alongside emerging talent.
Lacroix: ‘Chelsea is the best club in the world’
Speaking after completing the move, Lacroix described Chelsea as the ideal next step in his career.
“I think it’s the best move for me because it’s the best club in the world,” Lacroix told Sky Sports.
“I spoke with Malo [Gusto]. I spoke with Trev [Chalobah]. I spoke with Benoit [Badiashile]. It’s easy for people to speak well about this club because it has a lot of big history and I’m really proud to be a part of it now.
“I spoke with the manager on the phone. We spoke about tactics, we spoke about how he sees the game.
“First of all, I was happy just to speak about football with him, and I saw that we have the same direction and desire for this club.
The best club you can go to
“When I spoke with the gaffer, when I spoke also with the people I know from the national team who play for Chelsea, like Malo, they told me it was the best club I can go to.
“So already I was saying: ‘Okay, I don’t need to think too much’. After talking to people I said to myself: ‘This is the best step forward for me.'”
Lacroix’s arrival is also expected to reshape Chelsea’s defensive options before the transfer window closes.
Trevoh Chalobah, Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi are among the defenders who could leave Stamford Bridge as the club look to balance its squad after another significant summer of investment.
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