Irish-American Cavan Sullivan breaks MLS record on Philadelphia Union debut

Whiz kid Cavan Sullivan has smashed records by becoming the youngest ever player in Major League Soccer history. The teenager is likely the youngest to play in any of the world's major professional sports leagues.

The Philadelphia Union midfielder was just 14 years and 293 days old when he hopped onto the pitch as a sub in the 85th minute against the New England Revolution on Wednesday night.

This makes him just younger than Freddy Adu when he kicked off his MLS career in 2004 with DC United. The young lad made his debut shortly after his brother, Quinn Sullivan, aged 20, netted a goal that put Philadelphia ahead 5-1.

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Stepping in for forward Tai Baribo, Sullivan got his chance to shine in the last few minutes of the Union's smashing victory . He even had a go at his first shot on goal, with a long-range shot from outside the box during injury time's dying seconds, but keeper Aljaz Ivacic comfortably saved it.

"Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today," tweeted soccer legend Freddy Adu. "That's a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man."

According to the boffins at the Elias Sports Bureau, Sullivan is younger than any other player who has graced the NBA , NHL, NFL , NWSL, WNBA or Major League Baseball since at least 1970. The previous youngest was Andrew Bynum, who made his bow for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 at 18 years and 6 days old.

The youngest player to debut in the world's top five football leagues since at least 1988, according to FBRef.com, was Ethan Nwaneri, who made his first appearance for Arsenal in 2022 at the tender age of 15 years and 181 days.

The Philadelphia native has Irish roots . Although they are unclear, his name, like Co Cavan , his surname, and the his brothers' names, Quinn, Declan, and Ronan, as well as his father, Brendan, point to a strong connection with Ireland .

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Sullivan joined the Union's youth academy four years ago. He made his professional debut in March for the Philadelphia Union II in MLS' developmental league.

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