The American shot-stopper will be the third goalkeeper to leave Barcelona this summer, following the permanent departures of Iñaki Peña and Ander Astralaga, as the club works through a surplus of goalkeeping options.
The agreement between the two clubs is complete, with only the exchange of documentation and official signatures still required to formalise the move. Kochen will head to the Danish Superliga club, who secured promotion to the top flight this season, with the aim of securing regular first-team minutes, something he would struggle to find at Barcelona.
Kochen is regarded as one of the most promising goalkeepers to come through Barcelona's academy. Born in Miami and a United States youth international, he joined Barcelona's La Masia in 2019 and signed a long-term contract running to 2028 on his 18th birthday in 2024. He was part of the first-team squad last season and was called up by head coach Hansi Flick on 40 occasions, though his only senior appearance for the club remains a 29-minute outing in a 2023 friendly against Club América. He also made 20 appearances for Barça AtlÚtic last season.
Kochen has represented the United States at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-23 level, and is also eligible for Peru and Venezuela through his parents, though he has focused solely on representing the USA. He spent this summer's World Cup training alongside the senior United States squad as a training goalkeeper.
Competition for places in goal, combined with Joan GarcĂa's strong form and the presence of Wojciech SzczÄsny, has left Kochen with no realistic path to first-team football at Barcelona this season.
Minutes and experience
The loan to Lyngby will allow the United States international to gain experience and continue his development. Barcelona believe the spell away can prove valuable before Kochen returns to the club to compete for a place once again.
With Kochen's departure now agreed, Barcelona's only remaining goalkeeping matter is the situation involving Marc-André ter Stegen. The Germany international is continuing to negotiate a possible move to Ajax.
Hansi Flick's plans for the 2026-27 season are already clear. The German coach will again rely on Joan GarcĂa as his starting goalkeeper, with SzczÄsny as his main alternative.