Hansi Flick hands 16-year-old Barcelona wonderkid surprise first-team opportunity | OneFootball

Barcelona’s commitment to developing young talent continues under Hansi Flick, and the latest academy player to receive a significant vote of confidence is Orian Goren, one of the most highly-rated prospects emerging from La Masia.

At just 16 years of age, the midfielder has been invited to train with Barcelona’s senior squad during the opening phase of pre-season, becoming one of the youngest players involved in the first-team preparations ahead of the new campaign, reports SPORT.

Orian Goren earns Hansi Flick’s attention

Despite only recently celebrating his 16th birthday, Goren has taken another significant step in his development by joining Flick’s first-team sessions, something which was exclusively reported by Barça Universal.

The midfielder, born in 2009, is the second-youngest player involved in Barcelona’s pre-season programme, with only Ebrima Tunkara, who was born in 2010, younger than him.

Orian Goren is training with the Barcelona senior team. (Picture courtesy: Instagram/@orian_goren)

Goren arrived at Barcelona in 2023 after leaving Maccabi Petah Tikva, relocating to Catalonia with his family to continue his football education at La Masia.

Since then, his progress has accelerated. He established himself as a regular under Pol Planas in the Juvenil A side and gained experience in the UEFA Youth League.

Living at La Masia has also allowed the youngster to immerse himself fully in Barcelona’s football philosophy while adapting to life at one of the world’s most respected youth academies.

A future Barça Atletic leader

Although his age would ordinarily keep him in youth football for another season, Barcelona believe Goren is ready for a greater challenge.

Flick has put faith in Orian Goren. (Picture courtesy: Instagram/@orian_goren)

The current expectation is that he will make the step up to Barça Atlètic next season, where coaches hope he can become one of the reserve side’s leading players despite being one of its youngest members.

Technically gifted and tactically intelligent, Goren offers Barcelona valuable flexibility in midfield. 

While naturally most comfortable as an interior midfielder, he can also operate in a deeper holding role or drift into wide areas as a false winger, giving coaches multiple tactical solutions.