Atlanta United transfers Caleb Wiley to Chelsea

Atlanta United completed the transfer of Caleb Wiley to Premier League power Chelsea for $11 million on Monday.

Wiley, 19 years old, is with the U.S. Olympic team in France preparing for the Games. Wiley, a Homegrown signing, made 80 appearances in regular season and playoff matches with Atlanta United with six goals and eight assists. He was in the first class of academy players in 2016 and worked his way through the age groups, to Atlanta United 2, and into the first team.

“We wish Caleb the best in this next challenge of his career and look forward to following his journey,” Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement from the club. “For our club moving forward, we’re continuing our efforts to immediately reinvest in the team during the summer transfer window.”

Chelsea will be in Atlanta next week when it plays Club America in a friendly on July 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It is expected that Wiley will go out on loan. It was reported that he will go to Strasbourg in France. That loan may have changed because Strasbourg last week parted with manager Patrick Vieira in what was described as a mutual decision. Chelsea has a history of signing young players and sending them on loan.

It is the second time that Atlanta United has executed a transfer with a club in England. Miguel Almiron was sold to Newcastle before the 2019 season.

The MLS transfer window opened last week. The club has signed Pedro Amador on a free transfer to play left fullback.

With the completion of the Wiley transfer, combined with the sales of other players including Thiago Almada for $21 million and Giorgos Giakoumakis for $10 million, Atlanta United has more than $50 million it can spend to reinforce its squad. Most of the club’s focus will be on signing a striker and attacking midfielder. It is in ninth place in the East. Atlanta United will host D.C. United on Friday in its first match in this year’s Leagues Cup.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup