Chelsea have completed a £52m deal to sign France centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. 

Lacroix arrived in the Premier League in 2024, joining Palace from Wolfsburg to be reunited with his former head coach Oliver Glasner.

And the defender went on to play a key role in the most successful period in Palace's history, helping them win the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025, then lift the Conference League trophy last season.

Lacroix made 98 appearances in all competitions for Palace, the most by any player for the Eagles since his arrival at Selhurst Park.

All 98 of those outings were starts, and the 26-year-old contributed to 35 clean sheets while scoring four goals. His 127 interceptions, 608 clearances and 259 aerial duels won were also team-high figures across the last two seasons, across all competitions. 

Lacroix's club form earned him his first call-up to France's senior squad in March, and he appeared in three of Les Bleus' games at the World Cup as they finished fourth.

Now, he will link up with Xabi Alonso ahead of the Spaniard's first campaign in charge of Chelsea, having penned a six-year contract with the Blues.

"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," Lacroix told the club's website.

"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."

Lacroix could be an ideal fit for the 3-4-3 system Alonso used at Bayer Leverkusen, should the former midfielder use a similar shape with his new side.

Lacroix played almost exclusively in a three-man backline under Glasner at Palace, partnering Chris Richards and Marc Guehi at the back for the Eagles' 2025 FA Cup triumph.

He is the fifth player to join Chelsea this summer, following their British-record £117m swoop for Morgan Rogers, the £43m acquisition of right-back Marco Palestra, and the completion of pre-agreed deals for Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda.