The Philadelphia Union has made a significant move, signing 14-year-old soccer prodigy Cavan Sullivan to a four-year contract, the biggest homegrown deal in Major League Soccer history. The club made the announcement on Thursday, heralding Sullivan as a generational talent.
“This is a historic day for the Philadelphia Union,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said during Sullivan’s introduction. “It is not often, in any sport, that you get to sign a generational talent, especially here in Philadelphia in soccer.”
Sullivan’s addition to the Union’s first-team roster makes him the youngest player in the club’s history and the fifth-youngest to sign a first-team contract in MLS history. If he makes his debut for the Union on or before July 29, 2024, he’ll set a record as the youngest player to make a debut among the top professional sports leagues in North America, as well as among the top five European soccer leagues.
“We’re certainly not afraid of putting him on the field at any time,” Curtin said when asked about Sullivan’s potential debut. “He’s going to work hard and make it on the field on merit first and foremost. I’ll just say it publicly, it’s a lot closer than people may realize.”
The Union’s next game is against Orlando City on May 11.
Last year, Sullivan made headlines by winning the Golden Ball after scoring four goals and leading the US to victory in the 2023 Concacaf Boys Under-15 Championship, a first for the American team.
“I’ve been watching my home team, the Union, for as long as I can remember, and I always hoped that one day I’d get the chance to play for my city,” Sullivan said. “To play with my brother and in front of my family, friends, and fans is a dream come true. I’ll give everything I have to this club and hope to help bring home some hardware. I’m thankful for the opportunity and hope to make Philadelphia proud.”
Sullivan’s older brother, Quinn, has been playing for the Union’s first team since 2021. The younger Sullivan’s contract includes a release clause allowing him to transfer to Manchester City of the English Premier League after he turns 18.
“He’s super talented, clearly,” said Marlon LeBlanc, Sullivan’s coach at Union II. “He’s got this attacking mindset that’s fearless. He creates goals, he scores goals, he can do it in every facet. He’s a generational talent, sky’s the limit, and we’re just going to give him a platform to continue to grow.”
