Barcelona include 17-year-old American goalkeeper Diego Kochen, one of the best talents in American football, in their Champions League squad
- The teenager has already been on the bench of Barcelona in LaLiga this season
- Kochen will serve as a backup option for Marc Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena
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Barcelona have included 17-year-old American goalkeeper Diego Kochen in their Champions League squad this season as one of America’s greatest talents in football makes the move from the club’s world-famous academy, La Masia.
The teenager will take on the role of back-up for senior stoppers Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena, with the Blaugrana facing Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp in the group stage.
Kochen was integrated into Barça’s first-team training for the first time this spring. He played a part in a training session in which striker Robert Lewandowski scored past him in an exercise.
This season, the youngster has sat out three LaLiga games on the bench, with Xavi’s side going four games unbeaten.
Considered a highly rated player at home, Kochen was nominated for the 2022 US Soccer Young Player of the Year award after appearing in five of eight possible matches for Barca’s U-17 side.
17-year-old Diego Kochen sat on the Barcelona bench ahead of the match against Osasuna in LaLiga
He will try to attract manager Xavi’s attention this season and could potentially start a national cup match in the coming months.
Due to Barcelona’s last victory against Osasuna, for which Kochen was on the bench, the Blaugrana are two points behind the Spanish leader Real Madrid after four match days.
The match in Pamplona featured the debut of Joao Cancelo and Joao Félix as second-half substitutes. The Portuguese players joined Barcelona on loan deals just before the end of the summer transfer window last Friday night.
Kochen was last nominated for the 2022 U.S. Football Player of the Year award
The highly rated American goalkeeper played in five of eight games for Barca’s U-17 side last season
Other signings to join Barcelona this summer include defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu, former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan (free transfer) and central defender Inigo Martinez.
Barcelona will return to LaLiga action against Real Betis at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday, September 16.
The undefeated Girona is the early surprise of the competition and is level with Barcelona (10) in terms of points.
In addition to Las Palmas, Girona defeated Sevilla and Getafe and drew against Sociedad.