Cavan Sullivan
{{short description|American soccer player (born 2009)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox soccer biography
| name = Cavan Sullivan
| image = Cavan Sullivan.jpg
| upright =
| caption = Sullivan in 2024
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2009|9|28}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Philadelphia Union
| clubnumber = 6
| youthyears1 = 2018–2020
| youthclubs1 = FC Delco
| youthyears2 = 2020–2024
| youthclubs2 = Philadelphia Union
| years1 = 2024–
| clubs1 = Philadelphia Union II
| caps1 = 22
| goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2024–
| clubs2 = Philadelphia Union
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = United States U15
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| nationalyears2 = 2024–
| nationalteam2 = United States U17
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's soccer}}
{{MedalCompetition|CONCACAF Under-15 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2023 Dominican Republic|}}
| club-update = November 9, 2024
| nationalteam-update = January 17, 2024
}}
Cavan Sullivan (born September 28, 2009) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.{{Cite news |last=Critchley |first=Tom Bogert and Mark |title=U.S. youth international Sullivan, 14, in talks to join Man City |work=The New York Times |url=https://theathletic.com/5348039/2024/03/17/cavan-sullivan-man-city-philadelphia-union/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |language=en |date=March 17, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-27 |title=Cavan Sullivan: Man City win race for 'most exciting 14-year-old in the world' with USMNT prospect set to join Premier League giants {{!}} Goal.com US |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/cavan-sullivan-man-city-win-race-most-exciting-14-year-old-world-usmnt-prospect-join-premier-league-giants/bltada33f2e372ca1e0 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-US |last=Burton |first=Chris}}
Early life
Cavan was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is of German-Bangladeshi descent through his mother.{{Cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/manchester-city/2024/03/20/65fb146b268e3e83658b45b4.html|title=Cavan Sullivan, the new Leo Messi|date=March 20, 2024 |work=Marca |access-date= March 20, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/346257/us-soccer-sensation-sullivan%E2%80%99s-bangladeshi|title=US soccer sensation Sullivan's Bangladeshi heritage}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.backheeled.com/meet-the-sullivans-americas-next-big-soccer-family/|title=Meet the Sullivans, America's next big soccer family|date=May 17, 2023|website=Backheeled}}
As a youth player, Sullivan joined the youth academy of American side Philadelphia Union in 2020. He helped the club win the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20240206010639/https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan-sullivan-philadelphia-union-manchester-city-transfer-rumors-20240205.html|title=Cavan Sullivan: 'The sky's the limit'|publisher=inquirer.com}}
Club career
On March 24, 2024, Sullivan made his professional debut, coming on in the 56th minute in an MLS Next Pro match for Philadelphia Union II.{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Jacob |title=Cavan Sullivan or Kevin De Bruyne? 14-year-old USMNT prospect - who is set to sign for Manchester City - delivers pinpoint assist for Philadelphia Union II on professional debu |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cavan-sullivan-usmnt-prospect-manchester-city-delivers-pinpoint-assist-philadelphia-union-ii/blta64655f29a396dad |website=Goal |publisher=TPG Inc. |access-date=March 24, 2024 |date=March 24, 2024}} Sullivan provided an assist in the 86th minute in a 2–1 victory for Philadelphia.{{cite web |last1=Mendola |first1=Nicholas |title=Reported Manchester City target and USYNT phenom Cavan Sullivan, 14, assists on pro debut for Philadelphia |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/usynt-14-year-old-phenom-reported-man-city-target-cavan-sullivan-assists-on-debut-for-philadelphia-union-ii |website=NBC Sports |access-date=March 24, 2024 |date=March 24, 2024}}
On May 9, 2024, he signed a homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union until 2028, making him the fifth-youngest player to sign a first-team contract in Major League Soccer (MLS) history.{{cite press release|url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/philadelphia-union-sign-academy-product-cavan-sullivan-record-homegrown-signing|title=Philadelphia Union Sign Academy Product Cavan Sullivan In Record Homegrown Signing|publisher=Philadelphia Union|date=May 9, 2024|accessdate=May 9, 2024}} The deal was the most expensive homegrown deal in MLS history.{{Cite journal |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Ondeo signs Europe's largest petrol water deal |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1365-6937(04)00114-5 |journal=Daily Times |volume= 2004|issue= 2|page=4 |doi=10.1016/s1365-6937(04)00114-5 |issn=1365-6937}}{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40107349/philadelphia-union-cavan-sullivan-man-city |title=Philadelphia Union deal with Cavan Sullivan has Man City clause |first=Kyle |last=Bonagura |website=ESPN.com |date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024}} Sullivan and his family confirmed to ESPN that the contract has a clause that calls for a transfer to Manchester City once he turns 18. If he develops rapidly, he can conceivably play in Europe at age 16, but cannot do so in England. In that scenario, continental European clubs that share ownership with Manchester City—Spanish side Girona, Belgian side Lommel, Italian side Palermo, and French side Troyes—would be possible destinations for a loan.
Sullivan made his Major League Soccer debut for the Philadelphia Union on July 17, 2024. At 14 years and 293 days old, Sullivan became the youngest player to appear in a league match for a major professional league in the United States, breaking Freddy Adu's record set in 2004 by 13 days.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/17/cavan-sullivan-philadelphia-union-new-england-revolution-report|title=Philadelphia's Cavan Sullivan, 14, breaks Freddy Adu's youngest MLS player mark|date=July 17, 2024 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=July 17, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Reineking |first=Jim |date=July 17, 2024 |title=Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest in US major sports to make pro debut |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/07/17/cavan-sullivan-youngest-mls-player/74446413007/ |work=USA Today |accessdate=July 17, 2024}} On July 23, he played for the MLS Next East team in the MLS Next All-Star Game and was named the most valuable player for his goal and assist in the East's 4–2 victory.{{cite news |last=Sigal |first=Jonathan |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Cavan Sullivan: Philadelphia Union sensation leads MLS NEXT All-Star Game comeback |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news/cavan-sullivan-philadelphia-union-sensation-leads-mls-next-all-star-game-comeback |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=July 25, 2024}}
International career
Sullivan is eligible to represent Germany, the United States and Bangladesh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/manchester-city/2024/03/20/65fb146b268e3e83658b45b4.html|title=Cavan Sullivan, the new Leo Messi|date=March 20, 2024 |publisher=marca.com |access-date=July 18, 2024}}
Sullivan has represented the United States internationally at youth level. He helped the United States boys' national under-15 soccer team win the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/cavan-sullivan-manchester-city-usmnt/blte3f51daf6b72f596|title=Cavan Sullivan: The future USMNT star set to sign with Manchester City after being labelled the 'best 14-year-old in the world'|publisher=goal.com}}
Style of play
Sullivan mainly operates as a midfielder. He is left-footed. He is known for his vision.{{Cite web|url=https://en.as.com/soccer/who-is-cavan-sullivan-premier-league-champions-manchester-city-close-to-signing-usmnt-wonderkid-n/|title=Who is Cavan Sullivan?|date=March 17, 2024 |publisher=as.com}}
Personal life
Sullivan is the youngest of four children. His father, Brendan, played for five clubs over a six-year professional career in the A-League, now known as the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. Prior to that, Brendan Sullivan was an All-Ivy League selection at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and before that starred at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. He then went on to coach at his alma mater. His mother, Heike, also played Division I soccer and captained the Penn women's team.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/yscacademy/posts/quinn-sullivan-is-a-15-year-old-ninth-grader-who-plays-center-mid-for-the-academ/1241484392687676/|title=Quinn Sullivan is a 15-year-old ninth grader who plays center-mid for the Academy U-15s...|website=YSC Academy|publisher=Facebook|access-date=August 21, 2020|date=May 3, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/brendan-sullivan/|title=Brendan Sullivan at SoccerStats.us|website=SoccerStats.us|access-date=August 21, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.backheeled.com/meet-the-sullivans-americas-next-big-soccer-family/|title=Meet the Sullivans, America's next big soccer family|date=May 17, 2023 |publisher=backheeled.com}}
Cavan's oldest brother, Quinn, currently plays for the first-team of the Philadelphia Union.{{cite web |title=Curtin: Philadelphia Union Academy's Cavan Sullivan can become a "household name"|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news/curtin-philadelphia-union-academy-s-cavan-sullivan-can-become-a-household-name |website=mlssoccer.com |accessdate=June 8, 2023}} His other older brothers, Declan and Ronan, are also soccer players, with both currently attending YSC Academy and playing for MLS NEXT affiliate FC DELCO.{{cite web |title=Off The Pitch {{!}} Philadelphia is home |url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/off-the-pitch-philadelphia-is-home-quinn-sullivan |publisher=Philadelphia Union |date=December 27, 2023 |access-date=February 27, 2024}}
Cavan's older cousin is Chris Albright, an American international who played two seasons for the Union, and his grandfather is Larry Sullivan, who served as the head coach at Villanova from 1991 to 2007.{{Cite web |date=2011-12-01 |title=SOCCER: From Villanova to the Rock – Council Rock North Coach Larry Sullivan has made the adjustment |url=https://www.buckslocalnews.com/soccer-from-villanova-to-the-rock--council-rock-north-coach-larry-sullivan-has-made-the-adjustment/article_bdb7c9a7-9642-5855-9cc7-35fa9195dc6e.html |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=thereporteronline |language=en-US}} Cavan's uncle, Bryan Sullivan, was a Division I goalkeeper at Philadelphia Textile (now Division II Jefferson) and was also on the coaching staff at Villanova.{{cite web|url=https://villanova.com/news/2000/8/3/Brendan_Sullivan_Joins_Men_s_Soccer_Staff.aspx|title=Brendan Sullivan Joins Men's Soccer Staff|website=Villanova Wildcats|publisher=Villanova University|access-date=August 21, 2020|date=August 3, 2000}}
His maternal grandfather is Klaus Krippendorff.
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played April 10, 2025{{cite web |title=C. Sullivan |url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/cavan--sullivan/798944/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=April 12, 2025}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |National cup ! colspan="2" |Continental ! colspan="2" |Playoffs ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total | |||||||||
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|Philadelphia Union II
|2024 |18 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | 22 | 5 | |
| 2025
|MLS Next Pro |4 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!22 || 6 || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || 4 || 1 || colspan="2"|— || 26 || 7 | |||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Philadelphia Union
|2024 |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025
|Major League Soccer |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || colspan="2"|— || 0 || 0 || 5 || 0 | |||||||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!27 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 31 || 7 |
Honors
United States U15
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{Philadelphia Union squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sullivan, Cavan}}
Category:Soccer players from Philadelphia
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:United States men's youth international soccer players
Category:American people of German descent
Category:American people of Bangladeshi descent
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Philadelphia Union II players
Category:Philadelphia Union players
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:People from Philadelphia