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

Philadelphia Union prospect 

It was the 85^th minute between the Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution when historical past was made as Tai Baribo, who had scored a hattrick for the Union, got here off for Cavan Sullivan. The younger American, who additionally has a German passport, would develop into the youngest participant in Major League Soccer historical past. Indeed, Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtain couldn’t have picked a greater second to get the group off its feed for this historic second. 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 sufficient to write down headlines. But after we look again at this recreation, it will likely be all about Cavan Sullivan. Aged 14 years, 9 months, and 20 days, Sullivan broke a report set by Freddy Adu in 2004. Adu was 14 years, ten months, and in the future previous 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, greater than 20 years later, Adu’s report because the youngest-ever participant in MLS has lastly been damaged (overview).

Adu was one of many 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 speedy fall of Adu has been properly documented. Hyped to the sky by the at all times over-enthusiastic US media, Adu was labeled America’s Pelé however by no means managed to succeed in these heights, and after a journeyman profession all through Europe and South America lastly referred to as it quits in 2021. There is undoubtedly a danger that Cavan’s profession might additionally flame out, particularly as it’s arduous to foretell the ceiling of a participant who is barely 14 years previous.

Cavan Sullivan: Philadelphia Union expertise will be part of Man City in $5m deal

The Union actually consider of their expertise and have signed him to a professional contract that can run till 2028 in May. Furthermore, it’s an evaluation shared by the Manchester City decision-makers. Although neither aspect can affirm the deal as a result of the attacking midfielder continues to be a minor, it’s understood that when Sullivan turns 18, he can be off to Man City. That deal, in response to the Philadelphia Inquirer, is value $5 million (€4.6m). As a part of that deal, Sullivan would be the highest-paid homegrown participant in MLS historical past, with a reported wage of $500,000 per season. 

That wage will break the earlier homegrown wage benchmark of $200,000. But the Union assume it’s value it. “Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent,” Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner stated on the day Sullivan signed his first professional contract. “At just 14 years old his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years,” stated 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 professional contract, Sullivan didn’t take lengthy to impress head coach Curtin. After scoring back-to-back objectives for Philadelphia Union II within the MLS Next Pro, the choice was made to incorporate the 14-year-old within the matchday squad in opposition to the Revolution. But what comes subsequent? “There is a plan in place,” Curtin stated after the sport. “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.”