Philadelphia Union Sign Academy Product Cavan Sullivan in Record Homegrown Signing

May 9, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union announced today that they have signed midfielder Cavan Sullivan through 2028, in a Major League Soccer record deal. Sullivan, who joined Philadelphia Union Academy at 10-years-old, becomes the youngest player in club history to be added to the first team roster, and the fifth youngest player to sign a first-team contract in MLS history.

For media planning purposes only: Philadelphia Union will host a press conference today, May 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in the press conference room at Subaru Park with Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union II Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc, and Philadelphia Union Director of Academy and Professional Development, Jon Scheer. To join virtually, please click HERE and enter Union when prompted for a password.

Additional virtual availability will be held with Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner, today Thursday May 9, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Members of the media interested in joining please click HERE and enter Union when prompted to enter a password.

“Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent. At just 14-years-old his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years,” said Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director. “His advanced soccer IQ, paired with his ability to read plays, advance the ball, and score, show just how high his ceiling will be. We are incredibly pleased to have come to an agreement to have Cavan join the Union on his first professional contract and have no doubt on the impact he will make with the club.”

“I’ve been watching my home team, the Union, for as long as I remember and hoped that one day I’d get the chance to play for my city in front of my family, friends, and fans,” said Cavan Sullivan. “Being able to not only play for the Union but to be able to play with my brother is a dream come true. I will give everything I have to this club and hope to help bring home some hardware. I’m thankful for the opportunity and hope to make Philadelphia proud.”

Sullivan joined the Union Academy in 2020 and has quickly progressed through the Pro Player Pathway. He has featured for Union Academy’s U15 MLS NEXT team, U17 MLS NEXT team, and Philadelphia Union II MLS NEXT Pro team, making a name for himself both with the Academy, as well as with United States Youth National Teams. In the 2023 Generation adidas Cup, Sullivan, who was just 13 years old…