Cavan Sullivan

Cavan Ayaz Sullivan (born September 28, 2009) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union.

In 2024, Sullivan became the most expensive homegrown deal in Major League Soccer history, and, per a clause in his contract, he will be able to transfer to club Manchester City when he turns 18 years old. At age 14, he became the youngest player to debut in a league match for a major American or Canadian professional sports league. In 2025 he helped Philadelphia Union to their second ever Supporters' Shield.

A youth international for the United States, Sullivan won the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship with the United States U15.

Early life Cavan was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is of German-Bangladeshi descent through his mother.

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.

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. Sullivan provided an assist in the 86th minute in a 2–1 victory for Philadelphia.

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 history. The deal was the most expensive homegrown deal in MLS history. 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. 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.

On February 26, 2026, Sullivan scored two goals, his first goals for Philadelphia Union, and made two assists in a 7–0 win over Defence Force in round one of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Sullivan scored his first league goal for Philadelphia Union a 4–3 loss to Orlando City on May 13 after he was substituted into the match to replace an injured player. On August 9, he scored and created an assist in the 3–1 win over Necaxa in the 2026 Leagues Cup.

Sullivan received a red card on August 16, 2026, near the end of a 2–2 draw with Inter Miami after he became involved in a scuffle after his older brother, Quinn, was stepped on by Miami player Ian Fray. After being stepped on by Fray, the older Sullivan body-slammed Fray to the ground and Sullivan and Miami player Yannick Bright engaged in a scuffle after Sullivan ran over in defense of his older brother. Bright and Sullivan both received red cards, and Quinn received a yellow card. Five days later, Sullivan's red card and an accompanying fine was unanimously rescinded by the league's Independent Review Panel. In the following match on August 22–which was against Austin FC–Sullivan scored the first goal of the 1–1 draw. The game, which had its kick-off delayed due to extreme heat, began with temperatures at .

International career Sullivan is eligible to represent Germany, the United States, and Bangladesh.

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.

Style of play

Sullivan mainly operates as a midfielder. He is left-footed. He is known for his vision.

Personal life Cavan 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 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.

Cavan's oldest brother, Quinn, plays for the Philadelphia Union. His other older brothers, Declan and Ronan, are also soccer players, with both attending YSC Academy and playing for MLS Next affiliate FC DELCO, as of December 2023. 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. 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. His maternal grandfather is Klaus Krippendorff.

Honors Philadelphia Union Supporters' Shield: 2025

United States U15 CONCACAF Under-15 Championship: 2023