Confirmed: Barcelona starlet receives maiden national team call-up after strong start to loan spell | OneFootball

Diego Kochen is continuing to make progress away from FC Barcelona.

The 20-year-old American goalkeeper, currently on loan at Danish club Lyngby, has received his first call-up to the United States Men’s senior national team under Mauricio Pochettino.

The selection represents another important step in Kochen’s development as he makes the most of his first regular experience in professional football.

Since joining Lyngby, he has established himself as the undisputed first choice and has impressed during the opening weeks of the season in Denmark.

Barcelona’s loan decision is paying off

Kochen moved to Lyngby this summer after spending recent seasons between Barça Atletic and the first-team setup.

Despite being called up 98 times by Barcelona, he had never made his senior debut, making regular football an important priority for his development.

The move took him to a Lyngby side that had just been promoted to Denmark’s top flight and immediately placed its trust in the Barcelona goalkeeper.

Kochen has played every minute of Lyngby’s first eight Superliga matches, becoming a permanent fixture despite the team’s difficult start to the campaign.

As part of the agreement, Lyngby have an €1.5 million option to buy 60% of Kochen’s rights, with Barça retaining the remaining 40%.

Kochen has done well since joining Lyngby. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Pochettino rewards his strong start

Kochen’s consistent performances have now earned him another opportunity. Pochettino has selected him for the USMNT senior squad for the first time, opening the possibility of making his international debut during the upcoming fixtures.

The USMNT will play four friendlies in the international break, taking on Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.

The call-up comes after Kochen finally secured the regular professional football he had been missing in Barcelona.

Playing every week has given the goalkeeper the chance to adapt to the demands of senior football and test himself in a completely different environment.