Crystal Palace complete permanent return of Ben Chilwell

Crystal Palace have completed the permanent signing of Ben Chilwell from Strasbourg, bringing the England left-back back to Selhurst Park after his loan spell with the club in 2025.

Palace officially confirmed the transfer after Strasbourg announced Chilwell’s departure on deadline day. The French club said the move remains subject to receipt of the necessary international transfer certificate.

Neither club has disclosed the length of Chilwell’s Palace contract or a transfer fee.

Reports in England indicate that Strasbourg agreed to release Chilwell from the final year of his contract, allowing the 29-year-old to return to Palace on a free transfer. That financial structure has not been confirmed by either club and should therefore remain attributed.

Chilwell spent the 2025/26 season with Strasbourg after leaving Chelsea permanently the previous summer. He made 34 appearances in all competitions and contributed to the club’s run to the Conference League semi-finals.

His return to Palace restores a relationship established during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, when he joined on loan from Chelsea. Chilwell was part of the squad that won the FA Cup, the first major trophy in Crystal Palace’s history.

The defender brings extensive Premier League experience from his spells with Leicester City and Chelsea, where he also won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Palace moved for Chilwell late in the window after Borna Sosa left on loan, adding another experienced option on the left side of defence alongside Tyrick Mitchell.

The transfer itself is official: both Palace and Strasbourg have announced Chilwell’s return to south London. The only outstanding administrative point publicly referenced by Strasbourg is the international transfer certificate.