K. Sullivan

Cavan Sullivan grew up in Norristown, on the edge of Philadelphia, and joined the Union academy in 2020 after coming through the local FC Delco setup.

The step up came quickly. He made his professional debut in MLS Next Pro on 24 March 2024, playing for Philadelphia Union II against New England Revolution II in a 2-1 win and setting up a goal. Four months later, on 17 July 2024, he was sent on in the 85th minute against New England Revolution in the first team. At 14 years and 293 days old, that appearance made him the youngest player in MLS history and the youngest in any major professional sports league in the United States or Canada, breaking a record Freddy Adu had held since 2004.

The record alone would have made him a story. What turned it into a saga was the contract behind it. On 9 May 2024, Sullivan signed a four-year homegrown deal with Philadelphia Union. Built into the agreement is a move to Manchester City once he turns 18 in September 2027, in a transfer reported to be worth up to $5 million.

For now he continues to split his football between the first team and Union II, where he has scored four goals in 18 appearances, while also picking up minutes in CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup fixtures and continuing to represent the United States at youth level.