NOS Football•today, 11:27
Cavan Sullivan could easily get a dream transfer to Manchester City at the age of 14, with a small caveat: the American will have to wait another four years for it.
The ‘prodigy’, as he is described in his own country, has signed a professional contract in Major League Soccer with his club Philadelphia Union, which has a partnership with Manchester City.
Since Brexit, foreign players under the age of 18 are not allowed to be recruited in England. That is why City signed attacking midfielder Sullivan through a special arrangement with Union.
Coolly
Born and raised in Philadelphia, the 5ft 11in Sullivan will soon be hoping to make his debut for the Union first team, playing alongside his older brother Quinn, another academy product.
“I tend not to listen to what people call me or what they say about me. It’s really all about what I think of myself,” Sullivan himself said coolly about all the attention.
Football teenager Sullivan (14) signs with MLS club: ‘Wants to prove myself’
Union announced that they have signed academy talent Sullivan with a Homegrown contract have recorded and that it is – reportedly – the most expensive training agreement in the history of Major League Soccer. Amounts are not mentioned.
Before Sullivan can go to City, he could first move to a European satellite club of the City Football Group, which includes Manchester City as a parent club, according to American media. For example, the Spanish Girona, the French Troyes or the Belgian Lommel SK.
Sullivan can take away record from Adu
Sullivan made his professional debut last month as a substitute for Union’s second team and provided an assist on the winning goal. The dribbler also won the CONCACAF tournament with the United States under 15 years and was named the best player of that tournament.
If Sullivan makes his debut for Union before July 29, he will become the youngest player ever in MLS. The record is now held by Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days old when he made his debut for DC United in 2004.
