Move over Joel Embiid, Bryce Harper and Jalen Hurts. There’s a new star in Philadelphia. And he’s just 14 years old.
The Philadelphia Union signed phenom Cavan Sullivan to a four-year deal on Thursday, making him the youngest player in team history and the fifth-youngest player to sign a deal in Major League Soccer.
At 14, Sullivan could become the youngest athlete to play an American professional team sport – and the youngest player to debut in a major soccer league – if he debuts with the Union on or before July 29.
“To be totally honest, I’m a pretty boring kid outside of soccer. It’s really my life,” Sullivan said during his introductory press conference.
“Soccer, homework, and my dad runs his training facility and I help out a lot there … But soccer is my life. It’s the main thing.”
Sullivan was born on Sept. 28, 2009 in Philadelphia and is listed at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds. He’ll join his 20-year-old brother Quinn, also a midfielder, on the Union MLS squad.
Union II coach Marlon LeBlanc, who coached Sullivan in a game in which he set up the game-winning goal against the New England Revolution II earlier this year, said Sullivan is a generational talent.
“He’s super talented, clearly. He’s got this attacking mindset that’s fearless. He creates goals. He scores goals. He can do it in every facet. He’s absolutely fantastic,” LeBlanc said.
So, when will he make his MLS debut?
“We’re certainly not afraid of putting him on the field at any time. … He’s going to work hard and make it on the field on merit first and foremost. I’ll just say, it’s a lot closer than people may realize,” Union coach Jim Curtin said. “Our team, whatever we need that week, he’ll be called upon quickly because he deserves it.”
Sullivan is a midfielder who shined helping the U.S. win its first Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 championship in 2023 as a 13-year-old. He scored four goals, earning the Golden Ball as the best player in the tournament. He has ascended as a Union Academy product since 2020 to the club’s Under-15 MLS NEXT team, U17 MLS Next team and the club’s second team earlier this year.
Sullivan also helped the Union U15 team reach the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup final after wins over academy powerhouses like Valencia, Arsenal and Real Madrid, with Sullivan scoring one minute into the match against Arsenal. He was named to the tournament’s Best XI for his play. Earlier this year, Sullivan helped the Union U17 squad win their second-consecutive GA Cup championship.
“Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent. At just 14-years-old, his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years,” Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement.
“His advanced soccer IQ, paired with his ability to read plays, advance the ball, and score, show just how high his ceiling will be. We are incredibly pleased to have come to an agreement to have Cavan join the Union on his first professional contract and have no doubt on the impact he will make with the club.”
Sullivan said he can’t wait “to play for my city in front of my family, friends, and fans.
“Being able to not only play for the Union, but to be 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 home some hardware. I’m thankful for the opportunity and hope to make Philadelphia proud,” Sullivan said in a statement before his introduction.
Who are the youngest players to debut in MLS history?
Sullivan will be first on this list if he debuts on or before July 29.
1. Freddy Adu (D.C. United on April 3, 2004) – 14 years, 306 days
2. Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls on Sept. 30, 2023) – 15 years, 190 days
3. Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 16, 2016) – 15 years, 257 days
4. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake on Oct. 14, 2023) – 15 years, 288 days
5. Matai Akinmboni (D.C. United on Sept. 10, 2022) – 15 years, 328 days
Who are the youngest players to play American professional team sports?
Here are the youngest players to debut in American sports leagues, since 1970, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
∎ NWSL: Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave on April 29, 2023) – 15 years and 181 days
∎ NBA: Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 2, 2005) – 18 years, 6 days
∎ NHL: Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks on Oct. 1, 1997) – 18 years, 16 days
∎ MLB: David Clyde (Texas Rangers on June 27, 1973) – 18 years, 66 days
∎ WNBA: Maria Stepanova (Phoenix Mercury on June 11, 1998) – 19 years, 108 days
∎ NFL: Amobi Okoye (Houston Texans on Sept. 9, 2007) – 20 years, 91 days
Who are the youngest players to debut in European soccer leagues?
Here are the youngest players to debut in the five European soccer leagues, since 1988, according to Football Reference.
∎ English Premier League (England): Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal on Sept. 18, 2022) – 15 years, 181 days
∎ La Liga (Spain): Luka Romero (Mallorca on June 24, 2020) – 15 years and 219 days
∎ Serie A (Italy): Francesco Camarda (AC Milan on Nov. 25, 2023) – 15 years and 260 days
∎ Bundesliga (Germany): Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 21, 2020) – 16 years and 1 day
∎ Ligue 1 (France): Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille on Oct. 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 (D.C. United, 2004) – 14 years, 168 days
4. Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes, 2019) – 14 years, 191 days
5. Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union, 2024) – 14 years and 224 days
