Chelsea have completed the signing of centre-back Maxence Lacroix from fellow London side Crystal Palace.
The Blues confirmed on Thursday that they had finalised a deal to sign the Frenchman, who has signed a long-term contract until the end of the 2031/32 season at Stamford Bridge.
Lacroix, 26, had joined Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024 and went on to make a total of 98 appearances for the south London side across all competitions.
He featured 70 times in the Premier League during his time at Selhurst Park, and has built a reputation as one of the best central defenders in the division.
Lacroix was also integral for Palace during the most successful period in the club’s history, winning the Europa Conference League, FA Cup and Community Shield during his two-year stay at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea have been busy so far this summer, with Lacroix becoming their fourth signing after the arrivals of Morgan Rogers, Geovany Quenda and Marco Palestra.
Lacroix featured for France at the World Cup this summer Photo: Sipa/Alamy)
While a fee has not been disclosed by the Blues, BBC Sport claims that the reigning Club World Cup holders have paid around £52 million to sign Lacroix.
The France international – who represented Les Bleus at the World Cup in North America earlier this summer – will compete with the likes of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana for a starting spot in Xabi Alonso’s squad during the upcoming season.
It remains to be seen whether or not Lacroix’s arrival at Stamford Bridge will trigger the departure of another centre-back, with the likes of Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah having all been linked with moves away from Chelsea in recent weeks.
In the announcement, Chelsea also revealed that the defender will join up with his teammates during pre-season, ahead of the start of the campaign in late August.