Chelsea sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix in £52 million deal

Chelsea have signed defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52 million, with the France international agreeing a deal until 2032, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.In a statement posted on the club’s website, Chelsea wrote: “Lacroix arrives at Chelsea with the reputation of being among European football’s most commanding centre-backs, as well as one of the fastest and best aerial defenders in the Premier League.”The 26-year-old French international made 55 appearances last season, contributing three goals and three assists as Palace won the Uefa Conference League by beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final.Starting his career at Sochaux's academy, Lacroix made 28 senior appearances before a 2020 move to VfL Wolfsburg. Palace then signed him in 2024 for a reported £18 m