There’s big news in Major League Soccer that’s making ripples across world soccer, and it’s coming out of Chester.
The Philadelphia Union officially revealed that 14-year-old academy product Cavan Sullivan has signed a professional contract with the club, the largest homegrown player deal the league has ever seen.
“This is a historic day for the Philadelphia Union,” said Union head coach Jim Curtin. “It is not often in any sport that you get to sign a generational talent, especially here in Philadelphia in soccer. So, an exciting day for us.”
Who is Cavan Sullivan?
For those who haven’t been keeping with Philly’s MLS club, Sullivan joined the Union’s academy in 2020.
His older brother, 20-year-old Quinn, is on the Union’s top team and his two other brothers, 16-year-old twins Ronan and Declan, are in the academy.
Born in Philly and raised in Norristown, he plays as a midfielder. Ernst Tanner, the Union’s sporting director highlighted Sulivan’s “advanced soccer IQ, paired with his ability to read plays, advance the ball, and score” as what show’s his high potential.
“Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent. At just 14-years-old, his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years,” he said.
Why is this a big deal?
At 14 years and 224 days, Sullivan is the fifth-youngest signed player in MLS history, but this is reportedly the largest homegrown player deal in the league’s history, and he’s widely considered as a generational prospect — on a global scale.
He’s represented the club at the under-15 and under-17 levels, and in two games for the Union’s second team this year.
He’s also excelled on the United States youth stage, earning the Golden Ball award for the best player in the 2023 Concacaf Under-15 Championship, which the U.S. won for the first time ever.
Sullivan’s talent hadn’t gone unnoticed outside of Philly. He also reportedly set to join English soccer giants Manchester City when he turns 18, with the Union pocketing up to $5 million and a percentage of his next potential transfer fee.
The Union could have got much less — just training compensation — had Sullivan and his family decided to wait till he was 16 to play in the European Union with his German passport, where City’s owners have club’s he could play for till he’s 18 and eligible to play in the UK.
According to the Inquirer, Curtin’s relationship with Cavan’s father, Brendan, when they were player and coach respectively at Villanova, helped facilitate the deal that will start Cavan’s professional career off in Philly.
Why we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves?
Getting signed by Manchester City doesn’t guarantee global superstardom, whether you’re an up-and-comer or established pro. City’s last two American signings, Coatesville native Zack Steffen and Erick Palmer-Brown both failed to break onto the team and ended up leaving the club to find regular playing time.
For every Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna that gets accolades and attention, there’s far more players that struggle to break through to the highest levels of the game.
Then there’s Freddy Adu, the player who’s MLS youngest debut record is probably hanging over Sullivan and the Union right now. Hailed as the next Pelé, Adu’s promise as the No.1 pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft petered out into an obscure journeyman’s career and a cautionary tale about overhyping every promising American youngster.
What’s likely next?
If Sullivan gets on the field for the first team before July 29, 2024, he would not only break Adu’s league record for the youngest debut ever, he’ll be the youngest player ever in any of the top American pro sports leagues or the top five European men’s sports league. (Sacramento Republic forward Da’Vian Kimbrough made his debut at 13 years, seven months and 13 days and signed a contract two months before that, but the United Soccer Leagues are considered a level below MLS).
The club gave no timeline on how soon that first team appearance could be, or how much time would be spent with the Union II before that. Curtin was clear that the Union’s role is to help get Sullivan to his full potential though.
“He is going to go to the absolute highest level, and that’s our job,” Curtin. “He’ll do his job on the field as a 14-year-old kid to play hard every day and thrive and get better. That’s all he’s really responsible to do, and it’s our job to create the environment. And if we both do our work, I think this is going to be pretty special.”
Despite the excitement of the day’s news, Cavan said that work starts now and that he still has a lot to do, setting his sights on winning the MLS Cup for the Union
“This is my home and it’s an honor to sign here for my first professional contract, but it means a lot that they see the talent in me at such a young age and I want to prove myself and work for this club and this city and all these fans.” he said.
