Someplace in Spain, Lamine Yamal simply clutched his hip and complained about his aching outdated bones after 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan made his MLS debut on Wednesday night.
The Philadelphia Union midfielder got here on for the ultimate 5 minutes of his aspect’s victory over New England Revolution, breaking Freddy Adu’s document for the youngest participant ever to seem within the US prime flight.
Sullivan was 13 days youthful than Adu was on his DC United debut in 2004, resulting in an identical degree of hype about what the long run may maintain. Manchester Metropolis are already reported to have an settlement in place to signal Sullivan when he turns 18, although whether or not that’s an choice or a useless cert is unclear, with Metropolis reportedly forbidding Philadelphia from discussing its phrases on document.
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Who’s Cavan Sullivan?
Sullivan made headlines when he signed first-team phrases for Philadelphia Union in Could – reportedly the largest-ever homegrown contract MLS has ever handed out – along with his potential future transfer to Manchester Metropolis introduced on the identical time.
An attacking midfielder who cites Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden as main influences, Sullivan been with Philadelphia Union since age ten. He has made 5 appearances for the membership’s second workforce this yr, scoring prior to now two.
Sullivan’s older brother Quinn had scored for the Union simply moments earlier than he got here off the bench on Wednesday night, marking a proud day for the footballing household.
Sullivan the youthful mentioned: “Absolute chaos, for certain. Superior purpose by him, nice end. Yeah, I used to be there to have fun proper with him.
“I believe that combo of his purpose after which me coming in for the sub, it was full, like, anarchy. Actually, one of many loudest issues I’ve ever heard. So yeah, the stadium was electrical, and it was fairly cool.
“That is simply the beginning. I am actually, actually pleased to have performed this, however it’s truthfully the primary field checked off, so a protracted journey forward.”
Cavan Sullivan (proper) and his brother Quinn stroll out earlier than the sport between the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Union coach Jim Curtin instructed media: “That is simply the primary chapter in Cavan’s profession. For people who do not know, we do have a plan for him. It isn’t simply minute by minute or day-to-day; there’s a plan in place. So that you guys noticed him dominate the academy degree, even up three years.
“You noticed him now rating some good targets for Union II and do very well. You guys do not get to see him every single day in coaching, however the employees does, and the time was proper to present him a chance.
“The fact is, guys, he isn’t a standard child. We have recognized that from the beginning. Do I nonetheless need him to play like a child and play with that pleasure within the yard along with his brothers? In fact, however he is totally different. And that is the fact of issues.
“As a result of he is totally different, he has a distinct plan and a distinct trajectory than different gamers in our group, and that is the fact of the skilled degree. There is no such factor as too outdated or too younger, there’s solely good and dangerous, and he is particular. We will see that tonight. He’ll get higher and higher.”
Manchester Metropolis have already got a deal in place for Cavan Sullivan (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Sullivan is just not the one teenager to have made headlines for his speedy growth at a scarily younger age in America in recent times.
Final yr second-tier Sacramento Republic signed 13-year-old Da’vian Kimbrough to an expert deal, whereas Maximo Carrizo joined New York Metropolis FC on his 14th birthday in 2022.
Cavan is, extremely, solely the fifth-youngest participant in MLS historical past ever to signal a first-team contract.
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