GOALAfter establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in MLS, the 19-year-old has officially transferred to Stamford Bridge.
Atlanta is on track to become the focal point of American soccer, if it isn’t already. The Atlanta United, the city’s local MLS club, consistently draws massive crowds, making it one of the world’s most attended matches. Notably, the renowned Mercedez-Benz Stadium hosted two Copa America games, one of which was the highly anticipated opening match with Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Additionally, U.S. Soccer plans to establish its new training complex in Atlanta in the near future, solidifying the city as the official home base for the sport in the United States.
A few years ago, it was unimaginable to have a massive stadium, big crowds, or Atlanta United. The city lacked a soccer culture, only holding on to hope. It was during that period when 11-year-old Caleb Wiley decided to join Atlanta United’s academy before the team’s first-ever season.
At the age of 19, Wiley is embarking on a journey away from his hometown as the first genuine homegrown star of the club. Starting from the academy, progressing through the reserves, and now reaching the first team, he has become a true inspiration for the local community. While Atlanta United has already witnessed the rise of Premier League talent with Miguel Almiron, Wiley aims to follow in his footsteps by showcasing his immense potential in the MLS. With aspirations of making a name for himself in the grandest league worldwide, he hopes to secure a spot in one of Europe’s prestigious clubs.
He will depart from a huge city and move to another, exchanging Atlanta for London and leaving behind his hometown’s red and black colors for the renowned Chelsea blue. By acquiring Wiley, Chelsea are placing their trust in his potential and, judging from what we have observed, it appears to be a wise decision.
But who is Wiley and why have Chelsea spent £8.5 million ($10.9m) to sign him? GOAL has you covered with all you need to know about the American teenager…
