Cavan Ayaz Sullivan is an American midfielder who plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer and for the United States men’s national team. He is 17 years old. He holds the record as the youngest player to debut for a major North American professional sports team, and he has a planned move to Manchester City. This article covers his age, career, family, and what is known about his contract.
Latest Update: October 4, 2026
As of October 4, 2026, Sullivan is the youngest player in MLS history to be named Player of the Month. ESPN reported that he won the award for September, announced on Wednesday, September 30. He turned 17 that month, and had seven goals and 12 assists in 26 games for the Union at the time of that report, with the club moving up to sixth in the Eastern Conference.
He also became the youngest player to start for the U.S. national team since Freddy Adu in 2006, when he was in coach Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup for a 4-1 friendly win over Peru. Yahoo Sports reports that he will join Manchester City at the end of 2027, and that interim Union manager Ryan Richter praised his work rate. Yahoo’s own count for all competitions is 10 goals and 9 assists in 30 appearances, which splits his 19 goal contributions differently from ESPN’s league-only figures.
Who Is Cavan Sullivan?
Sullivan is a midfielder known for vision, ball control, and creativity. He signed the largest homegrown contract in MLS history, which runs through 2028. His older brother, Quinn Sullivan, is also a Union midfielder.
Background / Early Life
He was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Norristown, according to CBS Philadelphia and the Union. He joined the Union Academy in 2020 at age 10. His father is Brendan Sullivan and his mother is Heike Sullivan. His grandfather, Larry Sullivan, played at Temple University and coached men’s soccer at Villanova from 1991 to 2007, and he coached current Union manager Jim Curtin.
Career Path
Union Contract and Record-Breaking Debut
On May 9, 2024, at age 14, he signed a homegrown contract with the Union through 2028. He debuted on July 17, 2024, as a substitute against the New England Revolution, at 14 years and 293 days old. That made him the youngest player to appear in MLS and the youngest to debut in any major North American professional sports league, breaking Adu’s record by about two weeks.
The Manchester City Agreement
His contract includes a pre-arranged transfer to Manchester City after he turns 18, which is the minimum age for an overseas move under FIFA rules. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in April 2026 that the Union would receive about $5 million. In 2025, at age 15, he scored in a friendly for City’s under-21 team during a summer camp. The Union’s manager said in 2026 that the club is “working closely” with City on his development.
International Career
Sullivan has played for the U.S. at under-15, under-17, and under-18 levels, and he won the 2023 CONCACAF Under-15 Championship with the national team. He also holds a German passport, which gave him the option to represent Germany, but he has played for the United States. In 2026 he made his first appearance with the senior national team under Pochettino.
Cavan Sullivan Age
He was born on September 28, 2009, so he is 17 years old as of October 4, 2026. The math: 2026 minus 2009 is 17, and his birthday has passed this year. He turns 18 on September 28, 2027. Some websites still say he is 16, but those pages are out of date.
Family
His parents are Brendan and Heike Sullivan. His older brother Quinn plays for the Union. His grandfather is Larry Sullivan. Other siblings, if any, are not confirmed in the reliable sources I found. As a minor, he has no reported relationship, and I am not including details about his private life.
Education, Religion, Height, and Net Worth
His schooling, religion, and height have not been verified in the reliable sources I checked. His net worth has not been publicly verified. His contract is described as the largest homegrown deal in MLS history, but the amount was not published in the sources I found.
Quick Table
| Full Name | Cavan Ayaz Sullivan |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 28, 2009 |
| Age | 17 (as of October 4, 2026) |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American (also holds a German passport) |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Club | Philadelphia Union (contract through 2028) |
| International | United States (youth teams and senior national team) |
| Known For | Youngest player to debut in a major North American league (age 14) |
| Future Move | Manchester City after turning 18 (end of 2027) |
| Parents | Brendan and Heike Sullivan |
| Brother | Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) |
| Net Worth / Height | Not publicly verified |
Reader Questions
Who is Cavan Sullivan?
Cavan Sullivan is a 17-year-old American midfielder for the Philadelphia Union and the U.S. national team who is set to join Manchester City.
How old is Cavan Sullivan?
He is 17. He was born on September 28, 2009, and turns 18 on September 28, 2027.
When is Cavan Sullivan joining Manchester City?
He is expected to join after he turns 18, with reports saying the end of 2027.
What records does Cavan Sullivan hold?
He is the youngest player to debut in MLS and in any major North American sports league. He is also the youngest MLS Player of the Month.
Is Cavan Sullivan’s brother a soccer player?
Yes. His older brother, Quinn Sullivan, is a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union.
How many goals does Cavan Sullivan have this season?
ESPN reported seven goals and 12 assists in 26 MLS games. Yahoo Sports gives 10 goals and 9 assists across all competitions, so counts differ by source.
Wrap-Up
Sullivan went from academy player to record-setting debutant at 14, and from reserve-team prospect to a starter in MLS and the national team by 17. The next chapter is a move to Manchester City, which the Union have said they are preparing for with the club.
As of October 4, 2026, Cavan Sullivan is 17, leads a Union side pushing up the Eastern Conference, and remains on track for Manchester City after his 18th birthday in 2027.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available sources, including Wikipedia, ESPN, CBS Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, checked on October 4, 2026. Statistics change often, and sources count them differently. Net worth, height, and other unverified details are noted as such.
