Barcelona name 17-year-old American goalkeeper Diego Kochen, one of US soccer’s brightest prospects, in their Champions League squad

Barcelona have named 17-year-old U.S. goalkeeper Diego Kochen in their Champions League squad this season, as one of America’s brightest prospects in soccer makes the step up from the club’s world-renown academy, La Masia. 

The teenager will take on the role of a backup for senior stoppers Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena, with the Blaugrana set to face Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp in the group stages. 

Kochen was integrated into Barca’s first-team training for the first time in the spring. He played part in a training session that saw striker Robert Lewandowski score past him in a drill. 

Deemed as a highly rated player back home, Kochen was nominated for the 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year award after playing in five of eight possible matches for Barca’s U-17 side. 

Diego Kochen, 17, was named on Barcelona’s bench for the fixture against Osasuna in LaLiga

He will look to catch manager Xavi’s eye this campaign and could possibly start a domestic cup fixture in upcoming months. 

Barcelona’s latest win against Osasuna, which Kochen found himself on the bench for, keeps the Blaugrana two points behind Spanish league leader Real Madrid after four matchdays. 

The match in Pamplona included debuts of Joao Cancelo and Joao Félix as second-half substitutes. The Portuguese players joined Barcelona on loan deals just before the close of the summer transfer window last Friday night.

Kochen was most recently nominated for the 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year award 

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The highly rated US goalie featured in five of eight matches for Barca’s U-17 side last season

Other signings who’ve joined Barca this summer include defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu, former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan (free transfer) and centre-back Inigo Martinez among others. 

Barcelona return to LaLiga action on Saturday, September 16, against Real Betis at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 

The undefeated Girona is the early surprise of the league and is level on points with Barcelona (10). 

Besides Las Palmas, Girona beat Sevilla and Getafe, and drew against Sociedad.