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 meantime, Sullivan is finalizing an MLS homegrown contract with the Union that will keep him stateside until his move across the Atlantic. Sources say the homegrown deal is the richest in MLS history. Sullivan will be eligible to debut for the Union first team once it is signed.
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The Union agreed with City that it would send Sullivan to a City Football Group side elsewhere in Europe if his development surpasses MLS before his 18th birthday, sources say.
The Athletic previously reported City was finalizing an agreement for Sullivan that would send him first to Belgian second-division side Lommel SK at 16 before moving on to City at 18. After discussions between all parties, a new agreement for his development and compensation to the Union was reached for Sullivan to stay in Philly.
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Sullivan made his professional debut last weekend with the Union’s second team, providing the game-winning assist off the bench in MLS’s developmental league, MLS Next Pro.
Sullivan is viewed as the best American prospect in his age group and also one of the best across the world. He led the United States Under-15s to win the 2023 CONCACAF U-15 Championship and earned the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament.
Cavan’s older brother, Quinn, is currently part of Philadelphia’s first team. Quinn turns 20 this month.
“Those that maybe haven’t learned yet, a young Cavan Sullivan has the talent and ability to become, I’ll just say a household name and is doing really big things,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said in 2023.
Last spring, Sullivan starred at the GA Cup, a premier youth tournament featuring international opponents held in the United States. At 13, he played for the Union U-15s who beat Arsenal and Real Madrid en route to the final. He was named GA Cup Best XI.
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