Barcelona to sign contract with 18-year-old USMNT talent

Barcelona goalkeeper Diego Kochen will sign a new contract with the Blaugrana today, according to multiple reports. The 18-year-old USMNT goalkeeper is highly rated by the Catalan giants and is considered a possible long-term option for the number one spot.

A new contract for Kochen was announced earlier this year, but ESPN says the contract was never signed. The teenage talent will sign a contract that will keep him at the club for the next four years until 2028.

Ansu Fati could receive medical approval for the match against Leganés. Andreas Christensen is now in the final phase of his recovery. @santiovalle

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The USMNT national team manager has included Kochen, who is also eligible for Venezuela and Peru, in his last two international call-ups. He has spent time traveling with the first team as the third goalkeeper, but is competing with Ander Astralaga for Barça Atletic’s number one spot, and has made 7 appearances this season.

Barcelona currently have doubts about their long-term future at the goalkeeper position. Ter Stegen will turn 33 next year and in the last four years he has had surgery three times. Certainly, before this season, there was no indication that Iñaki Peña could replace him, and Wojciech Szczesny is likely to retire again if he continues without minutes.