With an unknown transfer fee, Atlanta United announced today that it has moved defender Caleb Wiley to Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League.
“Caleb epitomizes the pathway that we envisioned when we started this club,” Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “Born and raised in Atlanta, he joined our Academy at 11 years old, played for ATL UTD 2 and went on to earn every step in his path up to signing as a Homegrown. Over that time, he debuted for the U.S. Men’s National Team and was chosen to represent our country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now he can continue his career at a top club in Europe. We wish Caleb the best in this next challenge of his career and look forward to following his journey. For our club moving forward, we’re continuing our efforts to immediately reinvest in the team during the Summer Transfer Window.”
The Secondary Transfer Window for Major League Soccer began on July 18 and ends on Wednesday, August 14. After debuting with the club’s U-12 squad in 2016, Wiley made 85 appearances for Atlanta’s First Team across all competitions, tallying six goals and nine assists before being signed as a Homegrown Player on January 18, 2022.
Wiley became the youngest player in club history to play in a professional game on July 11, 2020, with Atlanta United 2, after joining the team at the age of 11. Wiley advanced through the Academy. At the time, he was 15 years and 206 days old.
After joining Atlanta’s First Team in 2022, Wiley scored his first goal in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in a 3-1 victory over Sporting KC on February 27. The native of Atlanta had a stellar second MLS season in 2023, making him the second Atlanta Homegrown to be called up to the US Men’s National Team, after George Bello.
During the MLS regular season, the left back set career highs in appearances (30), starts (28), goals (four), and assists (four). He also added an additional assist in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, bringing his 2023 goal total to nine. In Atlanta’s 3-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Matchday 3, Wiley scored two goals and provided one assist, earning him the title of MLS Player of the Matchday.
The 19-year-old was just selected for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by the US Men’s Olympic Team. He made his debut on April 19, 2023, against Mexico in the first-ever Allstate Continental Clásico. He has two caps for the senior USMNT. He has four U.S. appearances to his belt. ten games with the U-20s, three games with the U-17s, and three games with the U-23s.
On Friday, July 26, Atlanta United (7-11-7, 28 points) takes on D.C. to start Leagues Cup 2024 play. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (8 p.m. ET; 92.9 The Game, La Mejor; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
