Stones joins Inter Milan as Chelsea sign Palace defender for reported €61 million
by AFP · The42LAST UPDATE | 19 hrs ago
JOHN STONES HAS joined Inter Milan 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 £47.5million (€55.42m) in 2016 and won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League title.
A video on social media circulated on Thursday which showed Stones arriving in Milan and he displayed his excitement of joining the Serie A champions.
He told fans: “I’m excited to be here. Appreciate you guys, I’m sure I’ll see you all soon. Thank you so much. Ciao.”
Stones arrives in Italy after playing a key role in helping England to the semi-finals of the World Cup and has accumulated 94 caps for his country.
After coming through the youth system at Barnsley, Stones made the switch to Everton where he played for three years before moving to Manchester City where he became a key component in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Stones has now moved abroad for the first time in his career and joins a number of English players who are now taking the opportunity to play abroad, including World Cup stars Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.
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He becomes the second defender to make the switch from the Etihad Stadium to San Siro after Manuel Akanji made his loan move permanent earlier this summer.
Inter announced the signing on their website which read: “After 32 years in England, John Stones is ready for a new chapter in Milano, Italy. A new environment, a new league and a new challenge, backed by all the experience he has gained throughout his career.
“For the first time, he will no longer wear just blue, but black and blue. From the green fields of Barnsley to the San Siro pitch, after making history in Manchester, John Stones is ready for his next chapter at Inter.”
Stones managed just nine Premier League appearances last campaign after suffering from thigh and calf issues, and he will be hoping he can have more of an impact this season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth a reported £52 million (€61 million).
Lacroix agreed a six-year contract with the Blues and will link up with his new club for their pre-season preparations.
The 26-year-old has won seven caps for France and played for his country at the recent World Cup.
“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,” Lacroix said.
“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 made 98 appearances for Palace after arriving from Wolfsburg in 2024.
He won the FA Cup, the Uefa Conference League and the Community Shield during his time at Selhurst Park.
Lacroix is the latest close-season signing for new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso after the British record £117 million (€136.63 million) swoop for Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers and a £47 million (€54.88 million) move for Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra.
Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha have joined Chelsea in transfers that were initially agreed in 2025.
The Blues have also been linked with Brighton striker Danny Welbeck and Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Alonso, who took charge on 1 July, is looking to revitalise a Chelsea side that finished a disappointing 10th in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for European action in the coming campaign.
Elsewhere, Sligo Rovers have announced the signing of Welsh attacking midfielder Trey George on loan from Cardiff City.
The 20-year-old will be eligible for Friday’s game against Dundalk and joins on a deal which will see him play with the Bit O’Red until the end of the 2026 season.
It is new manager Darren Purse’s second summer transfer following the arrival of wide-man Jack Shorrock, who signed on loan from Port Vale on Tuesday.