Crystal Palace complete permanent signing of Ben Chilwell from Strasbourg

Crystal Palace have completed the permanent signing of England defender Ben Chilwell from Strasbourg after receiving the international clearances required to finalise the transfer.

The 29-year-old returns to Selhurst Park after previously spending the second half of the 2024-25 season with the club on loan from Chelsea. Chilwell ended that temporary spell by helping Palace win the FA Cup at Wembley, securing the first major domestic honour of his career and the first domestic trophy in the club’s history.

Chilwell spent last season with Strasbourg, making 34 appearances for the French club. One of those matches came against Crystal Palace in the Conference League, before the defender made his return to the English side on a permanent basis.

The move makes Chilwell Palace’s ninth signing of the summer transfer window. He follows Oscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil, Ivan Gjesan, Anan Khalil, Xavier Gozo, Axel Disasi and Honest Ahanor in joining the club.

“Because of his experience and quality, Ben played a major role in helping us win our first trophy last year,” said Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish.

“It is fantastic to welcome him back to Crystal Palace, and we hope he can help us achieve further success.”

Chilwell also expressed his delight at returning to the club.

“It is great to be back. It is nice to see some familiar faces, and I am extremely excited to return, see my team-mates and the supporters, and start again,” he said.

The defender began his senior career with Leicester City, making 123 appearances over five years before moving to Chelsea in August 2020.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Chilwell won the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup. His Chelsea career was also followed by a loan move to Crystal Palace, where he played 11 times and scored once during the club’s FA Cup-winning campaign.

That run to the trophy gave Chilwell the first domestic title of his career, while Palace lifted a domestic cup for the first time in their history.

At international level, Chilwell has won 21 caps for England and scored one goal. He was also included in the England squad that reached the final of Euro 2020.

His return gives Crystal Palace a player with experience in the Premier League, European competition and international football, as the club builds on last season’s historic FA Cup triumph.

The transfer was confirmed only after the necessary international documentation and approvals had been obtained, allowing Palace to formally announce Chilwell’s permanent arrival from Strasbourg.