Caleb Wiley has officially joined Chelsea in a transfer deal worth £8.5 million ($11 million), signing a long-term contract that extends until 2030, with an option for an additional year. The 19-year-old defender has been with Atlanta United since he was 11 and made his MLS debut in 2022.
Wiley is expected to bolster Chelsea’s left-back options under coach Enzo Maresca. While Marc Cucurella is anticipated to take the starting position following a strong performance at Euro 2024, Ben Chilwell’s ongoing injury issues have limited his appearances to just 106 in four years with the club.
Carlos Bocanegra, Atlanta’s Vice President and Technical Director, praised Wiley’s journey, stating, “Caleb embodies the pathway we envisioned when establishing this club. He joined our Academy at 11, progressed through ATL UTD 2, and earned his place as a Homegrown player. During this time, he made his debut for the U.S. Men’s National Team and was selected to represent the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We wish him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his career, and we look forward to reinvesting in our team during the Summer Transfer Window.”
Before making his debut for Chelsea, Wiley will spend the next three weeks in France with the U.S. Under-23 squad for the Olympics, starting with a match against the host nation on July 24, followed by games against New Zealand and Guinea on July 27 and 30, respectively.
Chelsea is pleased to announce the signing of United States international Caleb Wiley. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 22, 2024
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