From Atlanta to Strasbourg: Caleb Wiley Aims to Prove Chelsea Worth

RC Strasbourg defender Caleb Wiley has quickly risen to stardom as the 19-year-old has gone from playing in Atlanta United's youth system to competing in Ligue 1 and representing the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Wiley's journey into professional football began in 2016 when he entered the MLS side's youth system. The defender would break through into the first in 2022, but it was during his time in Atlanta United's academy that he knew this would be his career, as he told Atlanta-based station 11Alive.

"I can't really pinpoint it, but I think maybe around the age of 14 [or] 15. I think growing up, the information, the feedback that I got back from my coaches was always positive, and they always saw that they could see me playing with the first team one day."

"So that always gave me hope and belief that I could. And then always the support from my family, my parents. And to be honest, I didn't really have another hobby that I love more than soccer. And so I went full gas and no breaks."

Wiley made 26 total appearances for Atlanta United in 2022, but the defender had a breakout season in 2023, recording four goals and four assists to help the team offensively.

The teenager also shared that he experienced his first surreal moment as a professional footballer last year. Wiley had to defend against Lionel Messi when the former Paris Saint-Germain star joined Inter Miami, and it didn’t go quite as he had hoped.

"I was defending him. And I'm thinking, ‘All right, well, he's already thinking ten steps ahead of everyone else. So I got to think even faster. I got to even be more tighter.’ So there's one play where I was guarding him. I'm like, ‘All right, stay tight.’ It wasn't tight enough. And he got by me or took a touch around me and then hit a ball in the back line."

"But, yeah, he's unreal... I think he's just able to read the game so well. His IQ level is very high. He's one of those players that makes everyone else around him so much better, which is nice to have."

Despite his young age, the American's performances with Atlanta United put him on Chelsea's radar, and this summer, Wiley moved to Stamford Bridge to begin his career in Europe.

Atlanta United's Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra wants to see many other homegrown players follow the youngster's career trajectory, which involves going through the various ranks in Atlanta United's youth system and then to Europe.

“Caleb epitomizes the pathway that we envisioned when we started this club. 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.”

Chelsea opted to loan Wiley to Strasbourg to let the player gradually transition to European football and see how he handles playing in one of Europe's top five leagues. Even though he's a newcomer, Wiley started for Le Racing on Matchday 1 against Montpellier, playing 89 minutes.

Strasbourg will be counting on a lot of young talent to make them a surprise team that challenges for a European competition spot and the Ligue 1 title as Wiley will have the opportunity to show that he belongs over this 2024-25 season.

Photo credit: @RCSA_English

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