Barcelona has recently acquired the services of Pedro Soma, a talented young player from the United States. The 18-year-old midfielder has joined the club’s U19 side initially, under the guidance of former Brazilian international Juliano Belletti. However, there is a possibility that Soma could also feature for Barcelona’s B team, Barça Atlètic, who competes in the third tier of Spanish football.
Soma’s arrival adds to the increasing number of American youngsters at Barcelona. Goalkeeper Diego Kochen and midfielder Adrian Simon Gill are also part of the setup at the renowned Catalan club. Soma, who was born in Boca Raton, Florida, to a Brazilian mother and an American father, made the move to Barcelona in 2018. After showcasing his skills in grassroots football in the city, he was signed by Cornellà, a third division team in 2020, eventually earning a spot in the club’s first team.
Soma’s impressive performances in Spain have caught the attention of the United States national team setup. He has represented the U.S. at various youth levels, including the U16, U17, and U18 teams. Notably, he captained the U.S. U17 side in the World Cup held in Indonesia, where he played a vital role in their journey to the last 16. Despite a narrow defeat to eventual champions Germany, Soma’s leadership and skills on the field were commended.
Barcelona has been monitoring Soma’s progress closely and recently finalized a deal with Cornellà to secure his transfer to the LaLiga giants. Soma’s integration into Barcelona’s youth setup is facilitated by his existing relationships with fellow American prospects Kochen and Gill. Kochen, a promising 18-year-old goalkeeper, has already been involved with the first team and is set to take on a key role with the B team this season. Gill, on the other hand, is working his way back from a significant injury that sidelined him for a large part of the previous campaign.
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