Chelsea have formally announced the signing of Atlanta United defender Caleb Wiley.
Despite perceived issues over their status with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, the Blues have continued to be proactive in the transfer market.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu have all been signed by the West Londoners since the end of the campaign.
On Monday afternoon, Chelsea confirmed that they had added yet another prospect to their ranks in the form of Wiley, who has penned a long-term contract.
The full-back has committed to a deal which runs until 2029, with the option available to extend those terms by a further 12 months, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that the transfer fee is £8.5m plus add-ons.
© Reuters
Who is Caleb Wiley?
Wiley may just be 19 years of age but he has already racked up 85 appearances for Atlanta, contributing six goals and seven assists from the left flank.
As many as 21 of those outings have come in a side that currently sit in ninth position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Furthermore, two caps have been earned for the United States senior side, Wiley featuring in games against Mexico and Slovenia respectively.
Right now, Wiley is with the USA side that is currently preparing to participate in the Olympic Games in France.
Chelsea is pleased to announce the signing of United States international Caleb Wiley. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 22, 2024
Strasbourg loan incoming?
At one stage of the process, it was suggested that Wiley may sign for Strasbourg, where he would likely earn regular football.
The benefit of that would have been Chelsea not needing to use one of their limited foreign-loan allocation spots to send Wiley to the Ligue 1 outfit.
Unless club officials change their plan and loan Wiley to a Premier League or Championship side, that transaction is still likely to materialise.
Should that prove to be the case, Wiley would join Andrey Santos who Chelsea are planning to send to Strasbourg for the second time.
Darren Plant
