RabiuMaxence Lacroix joins ‘beautiful club’ Chelsea as John Stones seals Inter deal
Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace to become the club’s fifth signing of the summer. The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, was the Blues’ main defensive target of the window.
Lacroix, 26, signs a six-year deal with Xabi Alonso’s side. “I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club,” said Lacroix, who played three times for France at the World Cup, including in their 6-4 bronze medal match defeat by England.
“Everyone knows the legend of Chelsea, its tradition of winning, and to be a part of that is a proud moment. I think it’s the best move for me because it’s the best club in the world. 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.”
Chelsea had been looking to add experience to their back line having missed out on Rennes’ Jérémy Jacquet in January, with the player opting to join Liverpool. Levi Colwill, who is considered to be a key part of the club’s long-term plans, missed almost all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central-defensive partnership for much of the campaign.
After a dismal season that saw the club finish 10th, the club’s hierarchy has acknowledged a change in recruitment policy is needed, with a refocusing away from young, inexperienced players towards ones that can help the team compete for the title.
Lacroix, who made 55 appearances last season for Palace, has been one of the league’s most consistent defenders since moving to Selhurst Park from Wolfsburg in 2024.
The Blues confirmed the club-record arrival of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers last week, and have also added Atalanta defender Marco Palestra, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda.
Chelsea also look set to sign Brighton’s Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson after his contract with Brentford was terminated.
John Stones has joined Inter on a two-year contract, the Serie A club have announced.
The England centre-back was a free agent after leaving Manchester City and had attracted interest from clubs across Europe.
The 32-year-old ended his 10-year stay at City in June. He made 295 appearances for the club after joining from Everton for £47.5m in 2016 and won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League title.
First signing for Wrexham AFC – Danny Imray from Crystal Palace
Wrexham AFC say they are “delighted” to announce the signing of wing-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee.
Imray, who becomes the men’s first team’s first new signing of the summer, has signed a four-year contract with the Football Club, and joined up with his new team-mates on the latest leg of the US Tour in New York.
The 23-year-old, who started his career at Chelmsford City before moving to Palace as a teenager, has EFL Championship experience after ending last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion.
On signing for Wrexham, he said: “First and foremost, I think where this Club is going, it’s definitely on an upward trajectory.
“It’s just everything about the Club really – everything behind the scenes. I’ve watched Welcome to Wrexham and it’s not just a Football Club that wants to do well on the pitch, but one that wants to do well off the pitch too.“
The community means a lot to the Club, and I think that’s such a good way to be because without the fans, the clubs are nothing.
“There were loads of things that enticed me to come here, but the Club want to be in the Premier League and after speaking to the gaffer it’s just such an exciting project to be a part of.”
Imray made his senior debut for Chelmsford City in the National League South aged just 16, and a year later moved to Crystal Palace.
He made five EFL Trophy appearances for the Eagles’ development squad, and enjoyed loan spells with Chelmsford, Bromley and Blackpool.
In January last season, he moved on loan to West Brom and made 17 appearances – including the 2-2 draw with Wrexham at the Hawthorns on Good Friday.
He scored one goal, against Watford, and claimed two assists during his time with the Baggies – playing his part in the ten-game unbeaten run that helped them escape relegation.
On Imray’s signing, manager Phil Parkinson said: “We’re pleased to welcome Danny to the Club. He’s got an interesting story, with how he’s worked his way up from non-league to the Premier League, and is a young player with potential. We’re delighted to welcome him into the squad here in New York today.”
