Take a moment with me and journey back to being a 14-year-old child. For me, summer afternoons in Pennsylvania involved running around the grass backyards of the neighbors playing wiffle ball or tossing a football around. Still some months from being driving license eligible, it was a FAR simpler time. I did not understand it, but looking back, I was lucky enough to just BE a kid.
Earlier today, my mind was slightly bent on learning about the signing of the contract by the teenager. A 14-year-old Christopher was failing to score goals in my imagination, let alone on a potential major league stage. I was not signing a multi-million dollar professional sports contract. How about you?
This kind of thing doesn’t happen overnight for a 14-year-old sensation. No, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. In true American fashion, sometimes that effort ends up paying off!
The 14-Year-Old is 5th Youngest Player to Sign an MLS Contract
Pic Credits- USA Today
The Philadelphia Union held a press conference on Thursday afternoon to introduce Cavan Sullivan, the youngest-ever player to sign a Union contract. The Philadelphia, PA-born soccer play has impressed almost anyone who has watched him since joining the stellar Union academy in 2020. The clock starts to tick now if Sullivan is selected to play by Union Head Coach Jim Curtain. There is an achievable milestone for the 14-year-old soccer star if he enters a game before the end of July 2024:
Should Sullivan debut for the Union on or before July, 29 2004, he will become the youngest player to make his debut among the top North American professional sports leagues (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL) as well as the youngest player to make his debut among the top five European soccer leagues.
ESPN reported the coach told them “if he’s healthy, he will do it” which will allow the 14-year-old teenager to make history.
Clause Involving Manchester City Triggers on 18th Birthday
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The announced deal between the 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan and the Philadelphia Union involves a clause with ties to the Premier League. Manchester City will gain the rights to Cavan’s contract around September 2027 when Sullivan becomes eligible to appear in England for The Blues. Before then, he is expected to remain with the Union in Major League Soccer unless he defies the projections.
If Sullivan is too good for the MLS before 2027, there is a clause in the contract permitting Man City to move the Philly kid to a “City Football Group” team in Europe to prepare for transfer to the English Premier League.
Manchester City is taking the big swing on potential and allowing Cavan Sullivan to develop in a high-level league like the MLS seems like a wise investment. An added benefit is that Cavan gets to join his 20-year-old brother Quinn Sullivan on the Union’s first team. Quinn has also been selected to represent the United States Soccer under-20 team on multiple occasions. Cavan has also represented the USA in group tournament settings during his development.
Coach Curtain’s Extended History with Sullivan’s
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Head Coach Jim Curtain has been aware of the growing myths surrounding the 14-year-old younger brother longer than most. Curtain has a detailed history with the Sullivan dating back to his playing days at Villanova. Larry Sullivan, the brothers’ grandfather, was the head coach of the university those many moons ago.
“I knew Quinn, and Cavan was the youngest son. As it often goes, the youngest tries to keep up with his older brothers – he has two older twin brothers that are also good players,” Curtain said.
Philadelphia’s bench boss has had the chance to Quinn Sullivan’s game up close from the sideline for the Union’s first team. It is only a matter of time before he selects #6 to put up on the substitution board for the first time to the roars of the Union in Chester, Pennsylvania as the 14-year-old phenom steps onto the pitch for the very first time.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. With a varied professional background that includes an M.B.A. in Sports Management from Tiffin University, Chris can speak with authority on the subject matters that he covers. Additional insightful sports articles can be located here.
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