Cavan Sullivan
Agent, Salary, Contract, Club and Profile
USA €10mm
Key Facts
Date of birth: 28.09.2009
Nationality: United States
Current club: Philadelphia Union
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Right Winger
Height: 1.70m
Current market value: €10mm
Represented by: THE·TEAM
Main agent: Dan Segal
Reported salary: $450,000 gross per year
Contract expires: 31.12.2028
About
Cavan Sullivan is an American attacking midfielder and winger who plays for Philadelphia Union and the United States national team. A left-footed creator with exceptional technical ability for his age, he is known for his close control, vision, creativity and ability to produce decisive actions from wide and central positions.
Sullivan developed through Philadelphia Union’s academy after joining the club in 2020. His progression through the club’s development pathway was exceptionally fast, and in May 2024 he signed the largest Homegrown contract in MLS history at the time.
He made his MLS debut in July 2024 at 14 years and 293 days, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a major North American professional sports league. His development accelerated significantly during the 2026 season, when he became a regular starter and one of Philadelphia’s most productive attacking players.
At international level, Sullivan represented the United States throughout the youth pathway before making his senior debut in September 2026. He subsequently scored against Mexico in October 2026, becoming the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history.
Representation
Agency: THE·TEAM
Main representative: Dan Segal
Role: Executive Vice President
Agency leadership: Richard Motzkin and Dan Segal among the senior figures in North American football
Jurisdiction: United States and international markets
Linked with Sullivan since: Before his Philadelphia Union first-team breakthrough
Also represents: Federico Valverde, Weston McKennie, John Stones, Antonee Robinson and Curtis Jones
Related agency page: THE·TEAM
Sullivan is represented by Dan Segal at THE·TEAM, the global sports representation company formerly known as Wasserman.
Segal has represented Sullivan through several of the most important stages of his early career, including his record Philadelphia Union Homegrown contract, commercial agreements and the negotiations surrounding his future European pathway.
THE·TEAM has a major presence in North American soccer and represents players across MLS, the USMNT and leading European leagues. Sullivan is one of the agency’s most prominent next-generation American clients.
Career timeline
Youth career: Began his development with FC Delco
2020: Joined Philadelphia Union’s academy at 10
2023: Helped the United States win the CONCACAF U15 Championship
2023: Won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player
2023: Named to the Generation adidas Cup Best XI
2024: Progressed to Philadelphia Union II
May 2024: Signed a professional Homegrown contract with Philadelphia Union
May 2024: Became the youngest player ever added to Philadelphia Union’s first-team roster
July 2024: Made his MLS debut at 14 years and 293 days
July 2024: Became the youngest player to appear in a major North American professional sports league
2025: Made his first MLS start at 15
2025: Represented the United States at the FIFA U17 World Cup
2026: Established himself as a regular Philadelphia Union starter
May 2026: Scored his first MLS goal
August–September 2026: Produced a run of goals and assists that established him among MLS’s most productive young attackers
September 2026: Became the youngest player in MLS history to record three assists in one match
September 2026: Named MLS Player of the Month
September 2026: Became the youngest MLS Player of the Month winner in league history
September 2026: Made his senior United States debut
October 2026: Scored his first senior international goal against Mexico
October 2026: Became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history
Transfer history
2020 – FC Delco to Philadelphia Union academy – Youth transfer
2024 – Philadelphia Union academy to Philadelphia Union first team – Homegrown signing – Contract until December 2028
2024 – Future agreement with Manchester City – Pre-arranged pathway reported for when Sullivan becomes eligible to move to England
Sullivan signed his first professional contract with Philadelphia Union in May 2024. The agreement was described as the largest Homegrown deal in MLS history at the time.
As part of the wider negotiations, Philadelphia Union also reached an agreement regarding a future move to Manchester City. The reported transfer value is around $5m, with additional clauses potentially increasing the total package.
Because Sullivan was born in September 2009, any permanent move to England is subject to international transfer and UK eligibility rules. Although Manchester City has a long-term agreement in place, Sullivan remains contracted to Philadelphia and his representatives have indicated that his eventual European pathway will continue to be assessed as circumstances develop.
Playing profile
Sullivan is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play as a right winger, left winger or advanced number eight.
His technical ability is his defining strength. Sullivan has excellent close control and can receive possession in congested areas before turning away from pressure with very small touches.
As a left-footed player, he is particularly dangerous from the right side. He can move inside onto his stronger foot, combine with central attackers or play passes behind the defensive line.
His vision and creativity have developed rapidly with increased MLS minutes. Sullivan regularly identifies runners in advanced areas and has demonstrated an ability to create chances through both short combinations and more ambitious final passes.
He is also becoming significantly more productive in front of goal. During the 2026 season, Sullivan added greater confidence attacking the penalty area and began contributing consistently with both goals and assists.
Despite his age, he already shows a strong understanding of tempo. He does not need to attack immediately after receiving possession and is comfortable slowing the play before accelerating once space becomes available.
His combination of technical quality, creativity, football intelligence and extremely young age makes him one of the most closely followed American prospects of his generation.
Key strengths
Close control
Vision
Final-third creativity
Progressive passing
One-on-one dribbling
Left-footed technique
Movement between the lines
Through balls
Quick combination play
Progressive ball carrying
Goals and assists from midfield
Exceptional long-term potential
