Chelsea announce signing French defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of 26-year-old French defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth €52 million. The deal keeps the centre-back at Stamford Bridge on a five-year contract until 2032.
Lacroix joins Chelsea after helping Palace to one of the most successful runs in club history, winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League.
Since joining the Eagles from Wolfsburg in 2025, he has made 98 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals in all competitions.
The defender made three appearances for France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as France finished fourth in the tournament after losing to England in the third-place play-off.
He described the move as a proud moment joining the Blues and expressed his excitement to work alongside manager Xabi Alonso.
“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.
‘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 said.
Lacroix stands out with key qualities to help the club’s defence ahead of the 2026/2027 campaign, thanks to his impressive aerial duels, strong defensive contributions and pace.
The French defender becomes Chelsea’s third signing of the summer transfer window after the arrivals of Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 1
Convicted businessman Invictus Obi returns to Nigeria’s social circle, eyes political office
A close associate of Mr Okeke told the Peoples Gazette his plans for political office would soon be made public.
Heading 3
Tinubu leaves for Europe as rumblings grow over past drug dealings, relationship with CIA, FBI
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the president would “return home after the working vacation to join the hectic campaign for the January 2027 election.”
Heading 5
NABTEB sets September 10 deadline for 2026 November/December certificate exams registration
NABTEB’s spokesperson, Uchechukwu Olisah, urged prospective candidates, schools, and other stakeholders to comply with the approved registration requirements.
States
Ogun APC governorship candidate Adeola facilitates 5,360 solar streetlights
Mr Adeola said the 5,360 poles were part of a larger batch of 23,000 solar streetlight poles expected to arrive in Ogun before the end of the year.
Lagos
2027: Lagos PDP begins mobilisation, vows to defeat APC
Mr Olalemi said the party would deploy a strategic campaign machinery to mobilise voters across the state for its governorship candidate, Adedeji Doherty.
Abuja
SEREC urges FCTA to audit industrial projects, recover stalled investments
Mr Nweke recommended a 90-day comprehensive audit of major industrial and economic clusters to establish land allocations, beneficiaries and project costs.
