Cavan Sullivan, 14, has been named in the Philadelphia Union’s squad for Wednesday’s Major League Soccer fixture against the New England Revolution.
Should Sullivan feature he will become the youngest player in MLS history at the age of 14 years, 293 days and surpass a league record that has stood for over 20 years.
He would better the record held by former U.S. international Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days old when he made his DC United debut against San Jose Earthquakes in April 2004.
Philadelphia’s head coach Jim Curtin said: “Tomorrow he will be in the 20 because he’s earned that. If you look at his performances in the Union II games, the goals that he has scored, Cavan has earned the right.
“The next step is working to get your first minutes and that might be one minute, might be 15 minutes or that might 90 minutes but you have to earn it.”
Philadelphia announced the signing of U.S. youth international Sullivan in May in an MLS record deal.
The Athletic reported Philadelphia had completed the deal to sign Sullivan to the most lucrative homegrown contract in MLS history.
He became the the youngest player in Philadelphia’s history to be added to the first team roster, and the fifth ever youngest player to sign a first-team contract in MLS.
Sullivan will then transfer to Manchester City when he turns 18, the first time an agreement like that has been included in a player’s first MLS contract.
“Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent. At just 14-years-old his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years,” Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union sporting director, said following his signing.
“His advanced soccer IQ, paired with his ability to read plays, advance the ball, and score, show just how high his ceiling will be. We are incredibly pleased to have come to an agreement to have Cavan join the Union on his first professional contract and have no doubt on the impact he will make with the club.”
The midfielder made his professional debut in March with the Union’s second team, providing the game-winning assist off the bench in MLS’s developmental league, MLS Next Pro.
He led the United States under-15s to the 2023 CONCACAF U-15 Championship title and earned the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament.
(Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
