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Rising US men’s national team goalkeeper Diego Kochen will reportedly leave Barcelona on loan this summer.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper is ready for the next stage of his development with more playing time, and Danish team Lyngby Boldklub is currently the favorite to temporarily add the American goalkeeper.
What happened
Kochen is highly valued at Barcelona and spent much of last season rotating between Barcelona’s first team and reserve team. While he did not see the field for the senior team, he served as the team’s third goalkeeper behind Joan García and Wojciech Szczesny, meaning he was part of 40 matchday teams for the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, he played 20 games for Barça Athletic in the fourth division of Spanish football last season. He has made one first-team appearance, albeit in a friendly against Club América back in 2023.
However, according to ESPN, the club is willing to let Kochen leave on loan this summer to gain the playing time needed to further his development.
Kochen’s hopes for the US men’s national team
Kochen has been a regular for the United States 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 focused solely on playing for the United States.
It has come closer. Kochen was called up to the US camp twice in 2024 and will spend this summer with the senior team as a training goalkeeper alongside Philadelphia Union rising star Andrew Rick, allowing the two youngsters to get an up-close look at the World Cup experience.
A possible landing site
While Kochen’s future is not completely decided, Lyngby Boldklub are the favorites to sign him on loan this summer.
The club was promoted to the Danish Superliga after the most recent season. They are reportedly open to taking Kochen on a season-long loan, while Kochen himself is also open to the opportunity. Kohn’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2028.
What comes next?
Kochen will remain with the U.S. for the team’s entire World Cup run, although he is not a member of the official roster and, as a result, is ineligible to play.
After a victory over Senegal last weekend, the United States will face Germany this weekend before facing Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in the group stage of the World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across 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 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) and each match will be streamed live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, as will the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
