Chelsea have secured the services of central defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £51 million, with the France international committing to a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old arrived at Selhurst Park from Wolfsburg in 2024 and played a key role as Crystal Palace lifted both the FA Cup and the Conference League. Palace had been seeking closer to £55 million — a figure shaped by the fee Tottenham paid for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton — but the two clubs ultimately agreed on £51 million.

A defender in his prime

Sky Sports' Adam Bate highlighted that, despite being in his prime years, Lacroix has flown somewhat under the radar beyond Selhurst Park. That is beginning to change, however, particularly following Marc Guehi's departure from the club.