14-Year-Old Soccer Prodigy Signs Historic Deal with Philadelphia Union and Manchester City

Cavan Sullivan, a 14-year-old American soccer player, has signed a Homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union, with the agreement also including a collaboration with English Premier League side Manchester City. The deal is unique as it indicates City’s faith in the developmental abilities of the Union, allowing them to profit from Sullivan’s talents later on while benefitting from his skills now. Despite being dubbed a prodigy and a phenom, Sullivan remains humble, stating that he doesn’t pay much attention to such labels. He has already played for the Union’s MLS NEXT team and hopes to earn a spot in the senior squad this season. Sullivan is expected to join his brother, Quinn, who has represented the Union since 2021. Sullivan’s German passport may enable him to play for City-affiliated teams in Spain or Italy from the age of 16. However, he cannot represent City until he is 18. Sullivan’s family has a rich soccer pedigree, with his father and grandfather having played professionally, and his mother having represented Penn University. Sullivan’s mother emphasized her son’s levelheadedness, attributing it to his own efforts rather than any external factors.