French international footballer Maxence Lacroix signed a six-season contract with Chelsea, arriving from Crystal Palace, the ‘blues’ announced today, without disclosing the transfer fee.
According to the British press, Lacroix, who was at the 2026 World Cup with semifinalist France, who finished fourth, will cost Chelsea a fee in the region of 60 million euros.
“I’m very happy to be part of this beautiful club. Everyone knows the greatness of Chelsea, the tradition of winning, and being part of this is a moment of pride,” said the defender, quoted by the London club’s media channels.
Lacroix wore the colours of Palace over the past two seasons, having arrived from Wolfsburg, a club for which he played 98 games and scored four goals, winning the Conference League, an FA Cup and an English Super Cup.
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At the 2026 World Cup, the defender played three matches, in the group stage win over Norway (4-1) and in the semi-final defeats to Spain (2-0), a match in which he came on for the injured Saliba, and in the third-place match, against England (6-4).
The defender bolsters a Chelsea side that also features Portuguese players Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda and Dário Essugo, in a season in which the team begins under new coach, Spaniard Xabi Alonso.
