Cavan Sullivan focusing on Union role after signing historic MLS deal
09/05/2024 22:58
Cavan Sullivan has put pen to paper on his first MLS contract and now after committing his short-term future with his hometown Philadelphia Union, the 14-year-old prodigy is ready to get to work on his goals.
Sullivan signed the most lucrative homegrown contract in MLS history on Thursday, ending a lengthy saga surrounding the U.S. youth national team attacker. The Union academy star is expected to spent the next four years in Chester, Pennsylvania in the next chapter of his club career before embarking to English Premier League giants Manchester City as part of his deal.
After excelling for both the Union’s academy and several U.S. youth national teams, Sullivan is ready to translate those successes over to Union II and the Union first team.
"I've always dreamed big as a kid," Sullivan said in a press conference Thursday. "Signing my first professional contract was always my first goal and then from there on, whatever happened happened. But as of right now, I'm just focused on this season and I really haven't done anything yet for my career. This is just the beginning and I want to be the best I can be. But right now, I just have to work hard and see what's next."
Sullivan’s name has been on the radar of many European giants over the past year, but it was Manchester City who was able to lock up his services. The reigning UEFA Champions League and EPL winners have grown into one of the top franchises in international football, developing plenty of top talent in recent years including Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Cole Palmer.
Sullivan still has a long way to go until he steps foot in Manchester and admitted he isn’t focusing on the noise surrounding his name after committing himself to the club down the road.
"I see all the noise," Sullivan said. "It's definitely hard to ignore and not see it on social media and stuff like that, but as of now, I'm just focused on my development here with the second team and first team. Hopefully I can make my debut soon. It's really not paying attention to it, whether it's good or bad. Whether someone's talking positively about you or negatively, it means nothing."
Sullivan has made two MLS NEXT Pro appearances this season for Union II, registering one assist. After featuring at the GA Cup, Sullivan now is a candidate to play more regularly in Marlon LeBlanc’s squad while also potentially earning his first team debut with Jim Curtin’s men this year.
He’ll become the newest homegrown talent in a lengthy list, following in the footsteps of Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, and others. Sullivan’s first team debut will come in due time and it’s something he remains excited about after watching many others come through the ranks.
"I do get goosebumps thinking about my MLS debut," Sullivan said. "I imagine it being a sold-out crowd at Subaru Park, the one I see almost every week and it never fails to amaze me. Finally hearing my name called for the substitution, it's definitely going to put a smile on my face."
