History was made Thursday morning as 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan signed the largest homegrown contract in Major League Soccer history. The deal will keep Sullivan with the Philadelphia Union until he turns 18, at which point he will transfer to Manchester City of the English Premier League.
“I’ve always wanted to start my career here because this is my home and I’ve always been on the sidelines of Quinn’s games and I’ve been in and around the facility when my uncle worked here,” Sullivan told ESPN. “So, I’ve always been inspired and to play in front of this culture, and these fans are special.”
“But I also think the collaboration between the Union and the City Group was — I think that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They’re like every kid’s dream team. For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something — I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan.”
Sullivan’s impending debut with Philadelphia’s MLS team — assuming he takes the field before July 29 — will make him the youngest player to ever appear in an MLS game. The current record holder? Freddy Adu.
“I think it would be cool to obviously have my first record, but it doesn’t really matter to me if I beat it or not,” Sullivan said. “I mean, everyone’s on their own journey. It’s not really where you start, it’s about where you finish.”
“I guess my goal is just to become a regular player within the next two years,” he said. “And then after that I would hope to be a starter. I guess that’s from the 16-to-18 age window. And then right when I’m 18 I hope to be at the level of the Man City first team.”
