Chelsea sign French defender Lacroix from Crystal Palace

Soccer Football - UEFA Conference League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - May 7, 2026 Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix celebrates after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez 30 Jul 2026 06:21PM July 30 : Chelsea have signed defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace on a deal until 2032, the Premier League club said on Thursday.British media reported that Chelsea paid £52 million ($69.6 million) for the France international."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 club said in a statement.The 26-year-old French international made 55 appearances in all competitions last season