The Philadelphia Union signed 14-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan to a four-year contract on Thursday, making him the youngest player in team history and the fifth youngest player to sign a Major League Soccer contract. .
Sullivan is a midfielder who shone in helping the United States win its first Concacaf Men’s Under-15 championship in 2023. He scored four goals, winning the Ballon d’Or as the tournament’s best player. He has risen as a product of the Union Academy since 2020, to the club’s U15 MLS NEXT team, the U17 MLS Next team and the club’s second team earlier this year.
Sullivan was born on September 28, 2009 in Philadelphia and was 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds before signing. He will join his 20-year-old brother Quinn, also a midfielder, on the Union MLS team.
At 14, he could become the youngest athlete to play an American professional sport – and the youngest player to debut in a major football league – if he debuts for the Union on or before July 29.
“For as long as I can remember, I have followed my home team, the Union, and hope that one day I will have the chance to play for my city in front of my family, friends and fans,” Sullivan said. in a statement ahead of his formal unveiling on Thursday.
“Not only being able to play for the Union, but being able to play with my brother is a dream come true. I will give everything I have to this club and hope to help bring some hardware home. I’m grateful for the opportunity and hope to make Philadelphia proud.”
Sullivan also helped the Union U15 team reach the final of the 2023 Adidas Generation Cup after victories over academy powerhouses such as Valencia, Arsenal and Real Madrid. Sullivan scored a minute into the game against Arsenal. He was named in the tournament’s Best XI for his play.
Earlier this year, Sullivan helped the Union U17 team win its second consecutive GA Cup championship. He also made two appearances for Union II, where he assisted on the winning goal against the New England Revolution II.
“Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent. At just 14 years old, his natural ability and vision are far beyond his years,” Philadelphia Union athletic director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “His advanced football IQ, combined with his ability to read plays, advance the ball and score, shows how high his ceiling will be.
“We are extremely pleased to have reached an agreement for Cavan to join the Union on his first professional contract and have no doubts about the impact he will make at the club.”
Who are the youngest players to debut in MLS history?
Sullivan will be first on this list if he debuts on or before July 29th.
1. Freddy Adu (DC United on 04/03/2004) – 14 years, 306 days
2. Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls on 09/30/2023) – 15 years, 190 days
3. Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 7/16/2016) – 15 years, 257 days
4. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake on 10/14/2023) – 15 years, 288 days
5. Matai Akinmboni (DC United on 09/10/2022) – 15 years, 328 days
Who are the youngest players to play American professional sports?
Here are the youngest players to debut in American sports leagues since 1970, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
∎NWSL: Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave on 04/29/2023) – 15 years and 181 days
∎NBA: Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers on 11/02/2005) – 18 years, 6 days
∎NHL: Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks on 10/01/1997) – 18 years, 16 days
∎MLB: David Clyde (Texas Rangers on 06/27/1973) – 18 years, 66 days
∎WNBA: Maria Stepanova (Phoenix Mercury on 06/11/1998) – 19 years, 108 days)
∎NFL: Amobi Okoye (Houston Texans on 09/09/2007) – 20 years, 91 days
Who are the youngest players to debut in European football leagues?
Here are the youngest players to make their debut in Europe’s five football leagues since 1988, according to Football Reference.
∎English Premier League (England): Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal on 18/09/2022) – 15 years, 181 days
∎LaLiga (Spain): Luka Romero (Mallorca on 24/06/2020) – 15 years and 219 days
∎Series A (Italy): Francesco Camarda (AC Milan on 11/25/2023) – 15 years and 260 days
∎Bundesliga (Germany): Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund on 21/11/2020) – 16 years and 1 day
∎Ligue 1 (France): Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille on 10/22/2023) – 16 years and 20 days
Who are the youngest players to sign MLS contracts?
1. Maximo Carrizo (New York City FC, 2022) – 14 years, 0 days
2. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake, 2022) – 14 years, 15 days
3. Freddy Adu (DC United, 2004) – 14 years, 168 days
4. Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes, 2019) – 14 years, 191 days
5. Cavan Sullivan (União Philadelphia, 2024) – 14 years and 224 days
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Who is Cavan Sullivan? 14-year-old signs with MLS and Philadelphia Union
