NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Rising U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Diego Kochen is set to leave Barcelona on loan this summer, according to reports.
The 20-year-old shot stopper is ready for the next phase of his development with more playing time, and Danish Lyngby Boldklub are currently favorites to temporarily add the American goalkeeper.
What happened
Kochen is highly regarded at Barcelona and spent much of last season rotating between Barcelona’s first team and the reserves. Although he did not see the pitch for the senior team, he served as the team’s third goalkeeper behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny, meaning he was part of 40 games for the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, he featured in 20 games for Barça Athletic in the fourth tier of Spanish football last season. He has played one first-team game, albeit in a friendly against Club América back in 2023.
However, according to ESPN, the club is open to letting Kochen out on loan this summer to earn the playing time needed to further his development.
Kochen’s US men’s national team hopes
Kochen has been a regular for the USA at the youth level and has played for the U-16, 17, 19, 20 and 23 teams. The goalkeeper is eligible for Venezuela and Peru, but Kochen has been solely focused on playing for the United States.
He has come close. Kochen was called into the USA camp twice in 2024 and is spending this summer with the senior team as a practice goalkeeper alongside Philadelphia Union rising star Andrew Rick, giving the two youngsters the opportunity to see the World Cup experience up close.
A potential landing site
While Kochen’s future is not entirely decided, Lyngby Boldklub are the reported favorites to take him on loan this summer.
The club moved up in the Danish Superliga after this past season. They are reportedly open to taking Kochen on a season-long loan, while Kochen himself is also open to the possibility. Kochen’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2028.
What comes next?
Kochen will remain in the United States throughout the team’s World Cup run, although he is not a member of the official roster and, as a result, is not eligible to play.
After a win over Senegal this past weekend, the U.S. will face Germany this weekend before facing Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in the World Cup group stage.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread over three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every game streaming live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, are televised in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as will the USA’s June 12 opener against Paraguay (9 p.m. ET).
