Teenage goalkeeping prodigy Diego Kochen will sign his new contract with FC Barcelona at midday today, reports Mundo Deportivo.
The renewal of the youngster, who currently plays for Barça Atletic, until 2028 was agreed on 2nd February itself, but the new agreement had not yet been signed.
At the time, the club had already indicated that the signing would take place once Kochen reached the age of 18. Although the American goalkeeper, born in Miami, turned 18 on 19th March, the formal event had not occurred until now.
Kochen – An excellent prospect
Kochen, who has already been called up to the United States national team by Mauricio Pochettino, signed for Barcelona in 2019 when he was 13 years old, joining the club’s Infantil A team.
The 18-year-old’s development has exceeded expectations, to the point where he was called up to 26 La Liga matches by former first-team manager Xavi Hernandez last season.
Kochen made his debut for Barça Atletic in the Primera RFEF under the guidance of Rafa Marquez on 14th April earlier this year against Unionistas de Salamanca.
This season, he has already played seven matches with the subsidiary team, managed by Albert Sanchez, despite being sidelined for a month from late September due to a hamstring injury.
The Barcelona sports management have great faith in Kochen and see him as a future first-team goalkeeper.
But the current priority within the club is for the teenage talent to play as many matches with the reserve team as possible in order to establish himself and continue his development.