Cavan Sullivan

[ThreesKompany]

City agree deal to sign U.S. youth international Sullivan, 14, from Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union has reached an agreement on transfer terms with Manchester City to send 14-year-old academy player Cavan Sullivan to Manchester when he turns 18, say sources briefed on the deal, who added that the agreement is heavy on add-ons and includes a sell-on percentage. In the...

theathletic.com

Looks to be official now. Agreement to stay until he's 18, unless city finds that he's surpassed MLS quality and could loan him to another squad in CFG.

Can he be loaned to another club outside the U.S. while under 18? Thought without foreign passport, he is stuck there.

The Union has a good track record with their academy. Brendan Aaronson and his brother Paxton went through there. So did Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie. Cavan's brother Quinn is still there and is probably going to be on the U.S. Olympic team.

Edit: Did some digging on this. Appears he could get German passport due to grandfather and would be eligible in European countries outside UK at 16.

 

[Silva2021]

It’s great we have all these potential future stars,

 

[kun]

If you think the English like to overhype their players too young - we've got nothing on the yanks...

That being said he looks a hell of a talent.

 

[Skrastins]

 

[mattcity5]

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Let’s hope he turns into a brilliant signing for us and the lads sake.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

If there is one MLS academy you want a player being trained by its the Philadelphia Union.
Nothing in the states compares to what you guys have in Europe, but the Union has been doing a very good job as of late helping young American talent from the Philadelphia and surrounding area excel.

As an American City fan who lives in the Philly burbs this will be a fun story to follow.
Kid has all the potential in the world from the sounds of it, and could truly become a star.
Best of luck to him.
Being the youngest of four brothers will hopefully mean he is a little more humble then the average 14 year old who gets this much media attention for his skill in athletics.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Let’s hope he turns into a brilliant signing for us and the lads sake.

I see he can join a CFG club like Girona when he is 16.

 

[SebastianBlue]

Can he be loaned to another club outside the U.S. while under 18? Thought without foreign passport, he is stuck there.

The Union has a good track record with their academy. Brendan Aaronson and his brother Paxton went through there. So did Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie. Cavan's brother Quinn is still there and is probably going to be on the U.S. Olympic team.

Edit: Did some digging on this. Appears he could get German passport due to grandfather and would be eligible in European countries outside UK at 16.

Sullivan already has a German passport (so he can indeed leave before he turns 18).

 

[Bay Area Blue 93]

Philadelphia sounds cheesy to me.

Apparently, nobody else got that joke!

 

[Bay Area Blue 93]

Very smart kid.

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

Funny old world. At 14 I was titting up slaggy Sarah behind the bike sheds, and here’s this kid signing for the best club in the world.

 

[willipp]

Funny old world. At 14 I was titting up slaggy Sarah behind the bike sheds, and here’s this kid signing for the best club in the world.

No fingering?

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

No fingering?

That was Slutty Sandra - at 15.

 

[domalino]

Probably one to forget about for 5 years

 

[SebastianBlue]

Probably one to forget about for 5 years

Or just casually follow given he is one of the brightest American prospects to come along for awhile.

These types of signings are always a long term gamble that often don’t payoff, for numerous reasons. We’ve had a few “the [insert local moniker] Messi” in our youth ranks—Gai Assulin and Brahim Diaz to name just two. And the fact that Freddy Adu is referenced in the Athletic article about his record contract (and eventual move to City) should tell us that we shouldn’t put the cart before the horse.

But, at the same time, Sullivan’s signing is actually a indication of something a bit more concrete: we are entering a period where more young footballers across the world than ever before are looking at City as one of their ideal destinations to develop and perhaps play their senior level football. That has of course been building for awhile, but I think we are hitting a critical mass now that other historically successful clubs saw during their periods of dominance.

We just have to do a better job of capitalising on that cultural and economic shift in youth football than the likes of United, Liverpool, or Chelsea.

Either way, I hope Sullivan is able to fulfil his immense potential with us. In the meantime, I will keep an eye on him, watching a Union game every now and then to see how he develops.

I hope I am able to do that with quite a few players over the next few years.

 

[skillman]

If you think the English like to overhype their players too young - we've got nothing on the yanks...

That being said he looks a hell of a talent.

Left footers are always more aesthetically pleasing on the eye!

 

[eyalluvitt]

Great place to visit. Much rather go Philly than NY

Nice to visit and get the hell out before the sun goes down

 

[US47Blue]

Quick update from the US — Rumors the kid might get called up to the first team at the end of the month due to some of Philly’s players going to the Olympics. Would become the youngest MLS player to do so, surpassing Freddy Adu.