17-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen has been included in Barcelona’s squad for their Champions League campaign this season.

The Miami native joined the Catalans’ famous La Masia youth academy in 2019 and was given the squad number 31 for this season. Last March, Kochen signed his first professional contract with Barca and was on the bench for Sunday’s first-team win over Osasuna in La Liga.

Diego Kochen progressing well at Barca

The news was confirmed via Barcelona’s official website and is another example of Kochen continuing to progress up the ladder at the La Liga champions.

Kochen has represented the USMNT at under-17 level but as he hasn’t been capped by the Stars and Stripes’ first team just yet, is still available to represent Peru and Venezuela due to his family’s origin.

Although still Barca’s third choice behind world-class shot-stopper Marc Andre Ter Stegen and local boy Inaki Pena, Kochen could well be chosen as Xavi Hernandez’s choice in upcoming Copa Del Rey matches.