Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest MLS player at 14

Fourteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has become the youngest ever Major League Soccer player.

Sullivan, who is expected to move to Manchester City when he is 18, was an 85th-minute substitute in the 5-1 win over New England Revolution at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.

At 14 years and 293 days, he broke the record set by Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days when he played for DC United in 2004.

The teenager also became the youngest North American player in the top flight of a team sport.

Sullivan’s brother Quinn, 20, was one of Union’s goal-scorers on Wednesday.

Asked about his brother’s goal, scored shortly before he came on, Sullivan said: “It was absolute chaos. Awesome goal from him, great finish.

“I think the combo of his goal and me coming in as a sub was complete anarchy. Honestly, it was one of the loudest things I have ever heard. The stadium was electric.”

Sullivan added: “This is just the start. I am really happy to have done this but it is honestly the first box checked off.

“I know it is all about where you finish, not where you start.”

Adu, now 35, said: “Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today.

“That’s a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man.”

Sullivan signed for Philadelphia in May, in the biggest homegrown player deal in MLS history.

“The collaboration between the Union and the City Group was – that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They’re like every kid’s dream team,” Sullivan told ESPN, external at the time.

“For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something – I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan.”

Before Sullivan’s debut, Union manager Jim Curtin told the MLS website:, external “The sky’s the limit.

“He’s a generational talent, one who can really change the game by himself.”

The youngest male player to appear in the English top flight is Ethan Nwaneri, who made his Arsenal debut at 15 years and 181 days in 2022. (BBC)