Cavan Sullivan created history on Wednesday as he made his professional soccer debut aged just 14 years and 293 days.
Sullivan, who will join Manchester City in the future, came on for Philadelphia Union with five minutes remaining during a 5-1 win over New England Revolution during Wednesday's round of Major League Soccer (MLS) games, breaking Freddy Adu's 20-year record.
Adu was 14 years and 307 days old when he played for DC United against San Jose Earthquakes on April 3, 2004. Sullivan, a midfielder, came on just seconds after his brother, Quinn, scored a stunning goal from range to add to New England's woes.
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The pair celebrated together at the side of the pitch, before Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin told Cavan to remove his training top. The 14-year-old's first pass was to his brother, Quinn, and the youngster saw lots of the ball before the game was over.
Sullivan even registered a shot on target which tested New England goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic, showing that despite his tender age, he lacks any fear. Sullivan has already starred at youth level and been playing regularly with hopefuls four years his senior, while also being dominant on the youth international stage for the United States. His talents haven't gone unnoticed, with City already agreeing an innovative deal to sign him in the future.
The 14-year-old soccer sensation inked the most lucrative homegrown deal in MLS history this past May, securing a coveted spot on the senior squad straight from the academy - a move that still sees him juggling duties across both levels.
With an eye on the future, City has cleverly inserted a clause that kicks in when he turns 18, potentially catapulting him to Premier League glory. Philadelphia's sporting director, Ernst Tanner, couldn't contain his excitement, likening Sullivan to a 'young Dominik Szoboszlai' and lavishing the young star with praise.
"He is one of the biggest talents on the globe... Cavan is a top three young talent I've seen in my 30-year career," Tanner said when agreeing to sign Sullivan at Philadelphia on senior terms. "I'd say comparatively he reminds me of signing Dominik Szoboszlai."
Tanner isn't just throwing around compliments; his resume boasts the discovery and nurturing of soccer giants like Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, David Alaba, and Szoboszlai himself during stints at Hoffenheim and RB Salzburg. Yet, even against such illustrious names, Sullivan stands out as one of the premier talents Tanner has witnessed at this stage in their careers.
Sullivan expressed his lifelong passion for the sport, acknowledging that playing soccer has always been his dream, a dream that came to fruition on Wednesday. Yet, he also can't help but think about his upcoming move to City, attributing his decision to the partnership between the Union and the City Group.
"The collaboration between the Union and the City Group was - I think that did it for me," Sullivan told ESPN . "I always watch Man City. They're like every kid's dream team. For them (Philadelphia and City) to come together and agree on something - I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan."
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