The USMNT might just have another star on the way.
14-year-old American prodigy Cavan Sullivan signs with Manchester City
Manchester City secured the signing of the highly sought-after 14-year-old attacker, Cavan Sullivan. Despite fierce competition from clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, the Citizens emerged victorious in the race for the Philadelphia Union youth player’s signature.
EXCL: Manchester City are closing in on deal to sign American wonderkid Cavan Sullivan, deal agreed!
2009 born talent set to join #MCFC in the next years from Ph. Union despite Real, BVB, Bayern interest.City Academy, doing excellent job on talents.
Here we go, soon. pic.twitter.com/w91WKM01OH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 17, 2024
Due to age restrictions, the young talent will not officially join City until he turns 18 in September 2027.
Here are some of Sullivan’s highlights playing against Arsenal’s youth team last April:
Cav had himself a day against Arsenal today. Man of the Match, 1 goal, 1 assist, while creating the 3rd goal with a pass that lead to a penalty. They play Real Madrid tomorrow at 12 pm EST on Apple TV MLS season pass. @sullivan_cavan Video credit: @aldeneats pic.twitter.com/MHPahxkAkK
— Quinn Sullivan (@QuinnSullivan33) April 5, 2023
A special talent indeed.
Interestingly, Sullivan is said to hold a German passport from his mother’s ancestry — enabling him to potentially move to any EU country once he reaches the age of 16. As a result, speculation suggests that Belgian team Lommel, a part of the City Football Group, could be his likely destination before his official move to Manchester City.
Amidst the immediate interest and proposal from Manchester City, Sullivan is also said to have received what is described as the ‘largest contract offer ever made to an MLS academy product’ from Philadelphia Union who would want the promising player to stay at the club.
The USYNT star’s entourage, eager and convinced of making the move, would have declined. City’s reputation for nurturing young talent and providing top-notch facilities would have played a significant role in his decision-making process.
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"Cavan is a fantastic young talent, dare I tease him that I've never seen a kid develop as much as I've seen Cavan," said Philadelphia Union II coach Marlon LeBlanc.
"He's got his feet on the ground, all this extra hype about him. It doesn't go to his head and I think that's the fantastic thing about him,” he added.
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Sullivan comes from a footballing family, with his older brother Quinn already making strides in MLS and the U.S. men’s national team. Quinn, 19, has cemented his place in the USMNT’s U20s squad and has become a regular first-team player with the Philadelphia Union.
Sullivan, a 13-year-old at the time, was named the best player at the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship last August, helping the USYNT to the title against Mexico.
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