14-year-old MLS prodigy reveals ambitious plan to play for Manchester City’s first team in four years

Manchester City’s latest recruit for the future, Cavan Sullivan, has revealed an ambitious plan to break into the first team at the Etihad Stadium by the age of 18.

The Philadelphia Union announced earlier this week that they have signed Sullivan until 2028 in a record Major League Soccer deal, at which point the teenager will move to Manchester City following an all-party agreement.

Sullivan, who first joined the Philadelphia Union Academy at the age of 10, now becomes the youngest player in club history to be added to the first team roster and the fifth youngest player to sign a first team contract in club history MLS.

As the immediate future looks to develop with the Philadelphia Union and grow into the American game, an interview released in light of this week’s groundbreaking news only underscores the remarkable ambition held by the 14-year-old.

Speaking to ESPN in light of his record deal with the Philadelphia Union earlier this week, Cavan Sullivan also outlined his ambitious plans for the future and in particular the next four years.

“I think my goal is just to become a regular player (for the Union) for the next couple of years,” Sullivan admitted. “And then after that I would hope to be a starter. I guess that’s from the 16 to 18 age window.

“And then even when I’m 18, I hope to be at Man City first team level,” continued the 14-year-old in a tantalizing plan for the immediate future.

Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner was also keen to highlight Sullivan’s outstanding talents and the potential impact he could have for the club over the next four years in particular.

“Cavan is undoubtedly a rare and extraordinary talent. At only 14, his natural abilities and vision are far beyond his years. His advanced football IQ, along with his ability to read plays, advance the ball and score, shows how high his ceiling will be,” explained Tanner.

“We are incredibly pleased to have agreed an agreement for Cavan to join the Union on his first professional contract and we have no doubt about the impact he will have with the club.”