Chelsea have signed French defender, Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a £52m transfer.
Lacroix’s move across London comes after a successful two seasons for the 26-year-old centre-back who produced four goals and five assists in 98 appearances at Palace, and helped them claim maiden FA Cup and Community Shield titles in 2025 followed by the UEFA Conference League title in May.
Both clubs had been in lengthy negotiations throughout the off-season whilst Lacroix was at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with France, which ultimately saw the London rivals agree a £52m transfer fee without add-ons or player swaps despite Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah having been discussed.
“I think it’s the best move for me because it’s the best club in the world,’ said Lacroix who is relishing joining France teammates – Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile and former Palace loanee, Trevoh Chalobah who he spoke to ahead of the transfer.
“I spoke with Malo. I spoke with Trev. I spoke with Benoit. 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.”
Lacroix added that new manager, Xabi Alonso was another name behind his decision to move across London.
“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 added that his trophy-winning experience with Palace places him in a solid position to bring that momentum to Chelsea.
“Of course, I know the league and I have also won trophies in England already, so I’m really happy to go into this next step in my career and to continue also this story in England for me,” noted Lacroix whose only previous outing at Stamford Bridge came in a goalless opening-weekend draw last season.
“I have only played once at Stamford Bridge but I remember the day very well. We drew and it was an unbelievable day. To be honest, it felt good playing there. So now I’m just waiting to take my first step there as a Chelsea player.”
Palace Chairman, Steve Parish added that Lacroix had been an integral part of the Eagles’ success and wished him well for the future.
“Max has been fantastic since he came to the club, being a huge part of our trophy winning seasons and building a special bond with everyone at the club and the supporters.
“Thank you Max, for everything, and all the very best for the next phase of your career.
“As outstanding a figure off the pitch as he has been on it, we are all grateful to him for the role he has played over the last two seasons, and – although we are sad to bid him farewell – we do so wishing him the very best for the future.”
Lacroix began his career with Limeyrat before he went on to play for Montignacoise, FCTLF, Trelissac and Sochaux at youth level, before he eventually graduated into Sochaux’s senior squad in December 2018 and made his debut that month in a 1-0 Ligue 2 victory over FC Lorient.
He eventually made 28 appearances for Sochaux before he spent four years at Germany’s VFL Wolfsburg where he netted seven goals in 130 appearances.
Lacroix graduated through France’s youth international levels and made his senior debut as a substitute in a 2-1 friendly victory over Brazil in March, before he started in a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia just days later.
He subsequently was named in Didier Deschamps’ final squad selection for the World Cup, and made substitute appearances in warm-up friendlies as France suffered a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast then won 3-1 against Northern Ireland ahead of the tournament.
Across the actual tournament, Lacroix managed just three appearances as he started in a 4-1 Group I win over Norway and 6-4 Third-Place Play-Off loss to England, as the latter start came after he made a substitute appearance in a 2-0 semi-final loss to Spain.
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