U.S. international Caleb Wiley joins Watford on loan from Chelsea

U.S. international Caleb Wiley has joined English Championship side Watford on loan through the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The left back spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, but only managed six appearances due to injury with the French side.

At Watford, he'll look to earn regular playing time while spearheading a promotion push to the Premier League with the Hornets.

The 20-year-old made two appearances for the U.S. senior team in 2024, as well as three appearances for the U23 national team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. A left back by nature, while on loan at Strasbourg, he was utilized as both a winger and a defender under the leadership of Liam Rosenior.

He was signed by Chelsea in the summer of 2024, inking himself to a six-year contract with the Blues through 2030 at Stamford Bridge.

An Atlanta native, Wiley represented his city with the MLS side, becoming their first true Homegrown star. Now, just over 7 months into life in Europe, he's onto his third club for the biggest test yet. With Watford, he'll join a club 12th in the Championship, but just three points out of the promotion playoffs in sixth place. It is another opportunity to prove himself on a big stage.

On his professional debut with Atlanta United, Wiley scored in a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in 2022.

The Hornets take on Sunderland next Saturday in Championship action, as they look to climb the domestic table. Just one win in their last nine matches, they've run into a poor string of form, but with a defensive recruitment like Wiley, their fate may change soon.