US soccer madness

At 14! Sullivan youngest player in MLS history

Cavan Sullivan played his first MLS game at the age of 14 years and 293 days.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

At just 14 years and 293 days old, US teenager Cavan Sullivan is now the youngest soccer player in the history of Major League Soccer (MLS) in North America. 

The Philadelphia Union midfielder was substituted in the 85th minute of the home game against New England Revolution, one minute after his 20-year-old brother Quinn had scored the goal to make the final score 5:1 (3:0).

That makes him 13 days younger on his professional debut than Freddy Adu, who made his MLS debut for DC United in 2004. "Having the record is very cool. I'm sure there will be younger guys coming up, but maybe I can hold it for a while. But I'm definitely enjoying this moment," said Sullivan.

Transfer to ManCity already decided?
He signed a record contract with Philadelphia in May, which also includes a clause for a transfer to Manchester City at the age of 18. "When I'm 18, I hope to be at ManCity's first-team level," Sullivan said after signing his contract.

Sullivan is also likely to be the youngest professional in the world's biggest leagues. In the English Premier League, Ethan Nwaneri made his debut for Arsenal in 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days. In the Italian Serie A, Pietro Pellegri (2016) holds the record with 15 years and 280 days, while in the Bundesliga it is Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko with 16 years and one day (2020). Spain's new prodigy and newly crowned European champion Lamine Yamal was 15 years and 290 days old when he made his debut for FC Barcelona.