Atlanta United has officially transferred Caleb Wiley to Chelsea Football Club. The young talent joins Chelsea as part of their latest transfer moves, bringing fresh energy and potential to the squad
An undisclosed transfer fee was paid by Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League to acquire defender Caleb Wiley, as announced today by Atlanta United.
“When we started this club, Caleb was the embodiment of our vision,” said Carlos Bocanegra, Vice President and Technical Director. “He hails from Atlanta and joined our Academy at just 11 years old, playing for ATL UTD 2 before earning every step in his progression to become a Homegrown player. During that time he debuted for the US Men’s National Team and even secured a place on America’s team roster at the Paris Olympics in 2024! And now he has an opportunity to play with one of Europe’s top clubs. We wish him all the best as he embarks upon this next challenge; meanwhile we remain dedicated towards immediately investing further into improving our squad during Summer Transfer Window.”
The Secondary Transfer Window of Major League Soccer commenced on July 18 and will conclude on Wednesday, Aug.14.
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Wiley, who became a Homegrown Player on Jan. 18, 2022, started his journey with the club by joining their inaugural U-12 team back in 2016. He went on to amass an impressive record of six goals and nine assists over the course of making appearances for Atlanta’s First Team – numbering at about eighty-five across all competitions. Having entered the academy program when only eleven years old, Wiley rose through its ranks steadily before finally debuting for Atlanta United 2 on July11th , 2020; thereby becoming the youngest player ever (at that time) to represent them professionally aged just fifteen years and two hundred-six days!
In 2022, Wiley switched over to Atlanta’s First Team and scored his first MLS goal during a victory against Sporting KC on Feb. 27 in his league debut. In the following year, he had an incredible breakout second season in MLS and became the United States Men’s National Team call-up from Atlanta Homegrown (alongside George Bello). The left back made record-high appearances (30), starts (28), goals (four) and assists( four) throughout the regular season of MLS while achieving another assist at Audi’s 2023 playoffs for a total score contribution of nine points that same year. Winning Matchday Player of Matchday three via two-goal-one-assist solo performance thumping Charlotte FC with a resounding victory by passing its unbeaten streak without conceding any scores earned him recognition as one amongst history-making youngest six players who win such accolades across all eras through their respective performances’ magnificence within just Major League Soccer events defined above right now!
Recently selected for the United States Men’s Olympic Team competing in the 2024 Paris Games, this 19-year-old player boasts two senior USMNT caps. His debut occurred on April 19th, 2023 during a thrilling Allstate Continental Clásico match against Mexico. Notably, he has participated in four U.S. U-23 matches and tallied an additional ten appearances with the U-20 squad alongside three appearances with their younger counterparts – the talented U-17s team!
On Friday, July 26th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (8pm ET), Atlanta United (7-11-7, with a total of 28 points) will commence their Leagues Cup 2024 journey against D.C. United. Fans can tune in via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or through radio broadcasts by either tuning into the local station “92.9 The Game” or “La Mejor.”
On July 22, 2024, Atlanta United transferred defender Caleb Wiley to Chelsea Football Club for an undisclosed amount in a transaction.
The roster for Atlanta United as of July 22, 2024.
There are three goalkeepers on the team: Josh Cohen, Brad Guzan and Quentin Westberg.
These are the nine defenders: Luis Abram, Pedro Amador, Noah Cobb, Matt Edwards, Stian Gregersen, Ronald Hernández , Brooks Lennon , Efraín Morales and Derrick Williams.
There are nine midfielders on the team: Nick Firmino, Jay Fortune, Saba Lobjanidze, Dax McCarty, Edwin Mosquera, Tristan Muyumba, Bartosz Slisz, Adyn Torres and Tyler Wolff.
Four forwards on the team include Luke Brennan, Daniel Ríos*, Xande Silva, and Jamal Thiaré.
Borrowed from CD Guadalajara.
Franco Ibarra (Rosario Central), Santiago Sosa (Racing Club) and Erik Centeno (ATL UTD 2) have been loaned out for the 2024 season.
