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 million, and Lacroix made 98 appearances for the club across two seasons under Oliver Glasner.
He also made France’s World Cup squad this summer and featured in three matches as the team finished fourth after losing their semi-final to Spain before being beaten by England 6-4 in the third place play-off.
Chelsea have already spent big this summer, having signed Morgan Rogers for £117 million from Aston Villa last week.
Rogers, who starred at the World Cup for England, is now the most expensive British player ever after surpassing the previous mark set by Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City for £116 million just days earlier.
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is also keen to add experience to his squad ahead of the new season, with 35-year-old striker Danny Welbeck on the brink of joining the club on a two-year deal from Brighton.
Welbeck had his best-ever goalscoring season in the Premier League last term as he netted 13 times to help Brighton secure a spot in the Conference League.
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson is also closing in on a free transfer to Stamford Bridge. The 36-year-old England midfielder had his Brentford contract terminated by mutual consent on Wednesday, and he is expected to complete his move to Chelsea imminently.
The Blues remain active in the transfer window ahead of their opening game of the season at Fulham on 24 August.