Chelsea complete £52m signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace
Chelsea have completed their £52million move for centre-back Maxence Lacroix, taking their summer spend to almost £275m.
The 26-year-old, who played at the World Cup for France, joins the Blues on a contract until 2032 after two seasons with Crystal Palace.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Palace chairman Steve Parish met in New York ahead of the World Cup final to accelerate talks.
Lacroix brings trophy-winning experience after lifting the FA Cup and Conference League with the Eagles, as well as the Community Shield.
He is their seventh arrival of the summer after Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha. Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are expected to complete moves to west London in the coming days.
Palace are making a healthy profit on the Frenchman, a devout Christian, after signing him for £18m from Wolfsburg in 2024.
Lacroix said of his move to Chelsea: ‘I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club. Everyone knows the legend of Chelsea, its tradition of winning, and to be a part of that is a proud moment.
‘When I spoke with the manager, I saw that we have the same direction and desire for this club.
‘We want to win. When you see the quality of the players here, everything we have around the club, it’s something that we can achieve. The ambition is to lift trophies, and I can’t wait to contribute.’
Palace chairman Steve Parish said of Lacroix’s departure: ‘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.’
He is expected to play an important first-team role in west London under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The task will be to return the Blues to the Champions League after a dismal end to last season which saw them slip to 10th, as close to the relegation zone on points as the top four.
His switch to Stamford Bridge comes after Daily Mail Sport reported that Italian side Como are willing to offer £35m for Trevoh Chalobah as talks continue over his future.
Como were rebuffed in their opening two proposals for the 27-year-old and are working to meet Chelsea’s valuation with a structured offer.
Chalobah was on World Cup duty with England and made a fleeting appearance against France in the hectic third-place match.
