Already signed by Manchester City – Cavan Sullivan becomes the youngest player in MLS history

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Philadelphia Union prospect 

It was the 85th minute between the Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution when history was made as Tai Baribo, who had scored a hattrick for the Union, came off for Cavan Sullivan. The young American, who also has a German passport, would become the youngest player in Major League Soccer history. Indeed, Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtain could not have picked a better moment to get the crowd off its feed for this historic moment. Just moments prior, Cavan’s older brother, Quinn Sullivan, had made it 5-1 for Philadelphia. 

The 5-1 scoreline between two historic Eastern Conference rivals alone would have been enough to write headlines. But when we look back at this game, it will be all about Cavan Sullivan. Aged 14 years, nine months, and 20 days, Sullivan broke a record set by Freddy Adu in 2004. Adu was 14 years, ten months, and one day old when he made his Major League Soccer debut for D.C. United in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on April 4, 2004. Now, more than 20 years later, Adu’s record as the youngest-ever player in MLS has finally been broken (overview).

Adu was one of the first to congratulate Sullivan. “Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record-breaking debut today,” Adu wrote on X. “That’s a hard record to break, and the kid did it. Well done, and good luck, my man.” The rise and rapid fall of Adu has been well documented. Hyped to the sky by the always over-enthusiastic US media, Adu was labeled America’s Pelé but never managed to reach those heights, and after a journeyman career throughout Europe and South America finally called it quits in 2021. There is undoubtedly a risk that Cavan’s career could also flame out, especially as it is hard to predict the ceiling of a player who is only 14 years old.

The Union certainly believe in their talent and have signed him to a pro contract that will run until 2028 in May. Furthermore, it is an assessment shared by the Manchester City decision-makers. Although neither side can confirm the deal because the attacking midfielder is still a minor, it is understood that once Sullivan turns 18, he will be off to Man City. That deal, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, is worth $5 million (€4.6m). As part of that deal, Sullivan will be the highest-paid homegrown player in MLS history, with a reported salary of $500,000 per season. 

That salary will break the previous homegrown salary benchmark of $200,000. But the Union think it is worth it. “Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent,” Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said on the day Sullivan signed his first pro contract. “At just 14 years old his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years,” said Philadelphia sporting director Ernst Tanner. “His advanced soccer IQ, paired with his ability to read plays, advance the ball, and score, show just how high his ceiling will be.”

Once signed to a pro contract, Sullivan didn’t take long to impress head coach Curtin. After scoring back-to-back goals for Philadelphia Union II in the MLS Next Pro, the decision was made to include the 14-year-old in the matchday squad against the Revolution. But what comes next? “There is a plan in place,” Curtin said after the game. “The time was right to give him an opportunity. He isn’t perfect or the finished product. He is 14. But this first step was planned by the Union, his family, and a big European club with a say in things, too. He has a different trajectory than other kids in the group, and he is special and will only get better as he gets more minutes.”