Maxence Lacroix (born 6 April 2000) is a French professional centre-back who currently plays for Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team. Starting his senior career at Sochaux in 2018, he moved to VfL Wolfsburg in 2020 before joining Crystal Palace in 2024 for £18 million. At Palace, he was pivotal in historic success, helping the club secure its first-ever major trophy by winning the FA Cup in 2025, followed by the Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League in 2026. Internationally, he represented France at youth levels, made his senior debut in 2026, and featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In July 2026, he signed a six-year contract with Chelsea for a reported £52 million, bringing his rise from Ligue 2 to the Premier League full circle—and off the pitch, he is a devout Christian of Guadeloupean and Malagasy descent.