Cavan Sullivan

Cavan was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is of German-Bangladeshi descent through his mother.^[2][3][4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6] Sullivan provided an assist in the 86th minute in a 2–1 victory for Philadelphia.^[7]

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.^[8] The deal was the most expensive homegrown deal in MLS history.^[9][10] 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.^[10]

Sullivan made his Major League Soccer debut for the Philadelphia Union on July 17, 2024. At 14 years and 293 days old, Sullivan became the youngest player to appear in a league match for a major professional league in the United States, breaking Freddy Adu's record set in 2004 by 13 days.^[11][12] 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.^[13]

On February 26, 2026, Sullivan scored two goals, his first goals for Philadelphia Union, and made two assists in a 7–0 win over Defense Force in round one of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.^[14]

Sullivan is eligible to represent Germany, the United States, and Bangladesh.^[15]

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.^[16]

Sullivan mainly operates as a midfielder. He is left-footed. He is known for his vision.^[17]

Sullivan 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 Sullivan 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.^[18][19][20]

Cavan's oldest brother, Quinn, currently plays for the first-team of the Philadelphia Union.^[21] His other older brothers, Declan and Ronan, are also soccer players, with both currently attending YSC Academy and playing for MLS NEXT affiliate FC DELCO.^[22]

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.^[18][23] 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.^[24]

His maternal grandfather is Klaus Krippendorff.^[4]

As of match played February 26, 2026^[25]

Philadelphia Union

• Supporters' Shield: 2025^[26]

United States U15

• CONCACAF Under-15 Championship: 2023^[16]