MLS
Man City snap up American ‘boy wonder’ Cavan Sullivan
Manchester City have signed the services of the Philadelphia Union II midfielder who, already at the age of 14 has already made his professional debut.
Despite being pursued by the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, Cavan Sullivan, the American wonderkid as he is known in the United States, will play his football in England. The future talent will move to Manchester City when he is eighteen and in the interim, appears set to stay with current MLS club Philadelphia Union.
Born in 2009, Sullivan made his professional debut with the Philadelphia Union II (second team) in Major League Soccer (MLS) Next Pro league at the age of 14 and played for 38 minutes against the New England Revolution. The debut saw Sullivan providing an assist and bag the winning goal.
Sullivan’s stature, impact and style of play has led US soccer analysts to compare him to Messi. “He is the best young player in the world at his age,” MLS commentator Taylor Twellman said about Sullivan, whom they call a “multifunctional playmaker” for his wide range of ability as a No. ‘10′.
Manchester City are renowned for their global scouting network and over the years, the likes of Brahim Díaz and Jadon Sancho have passed through the City Academy with other younger global talents in the shape of Yan Couto, Savinho and Claudio Echeverri all doing loan deal apprenticeships ahead of playing under Pep Guardiola for the City first team.