Manchester City-bound teenage prodigy Cavan Sullivan has opened up about his ambition to play for the United States, despite interest from Germany.
Already the fifth-youngest player to sign a professional contract with an MLS club, he’s also heading to the Premier League when he turns 18 having agreed a move to Manchester City.
The 14-year-old has recently inked a deal with Philadelphia Union on a homegrown contract, indicating his intention to further his skills on home soil before his City move, but he has been hailed as one of the most promising teenage players on the planet, with a fight for his international allegiances.
Despite his eligibility to represent Germany in international football, Philadelphia-born Sullivan has reiterated his desire to play for the USA. Owing to his parentage, the midfielder does possess a German passport and could be tapped up by Die Mannschaft.
On this topic, he said: “I mean, I’m an American, but I’m open to options, I guess. I want to win the World Cup with the USA. So that’s all I’ve got to say.”
Manchester City beat off competition from a number of top clubs to secure Sullivan’s signature. The youngster made quite an impression during an Under-15s match between the US and England last April, netting two goals in a 2-2 draw, before his team clinched victory in a penalty shootout.
Further enhancing his reputation, he was crowned Player of the Tournament at the CONCACAF Under-15 championships, having already made his professional debut. This came in the form of two appearances so far for the Union’s MLS NEXT squad in April, with Freddy Adu’s long-standing record as the youngest player to feature in MLS potentially within his reach.
Regarding his immediate ambitions at club level, Sullivan elaborated: “I guess my goal is just to become a regular player [for Philadelphia] within the next two years. Then after that I would hope to be a starter. I guess that’s from the 16 to 18 age window. And then right when I’m 18 I hope to be at the level of the Man City first team.”
“I tend not to even listen to what they call me or what they say about me. It’s really just what I think of myself. I don’t really listen to anyone, whether it’s good or bad. So it doesn’t really get to me whatsoever.”
Sullivan has his parents’ full support in chasing the football dream just like his brother who is also on the Philadelphia books. His dad credits Jim Curtin for playing a pivotal role in Cavan’s career.
“I think Jim Curtin was really integral in getting Cavan here, if I’m being completely honest. He called us, he reached out to us, he said, ‘Look, I think he can play for me right away. With a little bit of a little bit of coaching, we think that he’s ready and we’re willing to take that on.”
His mum chimed in with praise for her son’s level-headed nature: “I mean, you can see him. He’s a pretty even-keeled kid. He really does that on his own. I’m “I tend not to even listen to what they call me or what they say about me. It’s really just what I think of myself. I don’t really listen to anyone, whether it’s good or bad. So it doesn’t really get to me whatsoever.”
Sullivan has his parents’ full support in chasing the football dream just like his brother who is also on the Philadelphia books. His dad credits Jim Curtin for playing a pivotal role in Cavan’s career.
“I think Jim Curtin was really integral in getting Cavan here, if I’m being completely honest. He called us, he reached out to us, he said, ‘Look, I think he can play for me right away. With a little bit of a little bit of coaching, we think that he’s ready and we’re willing to take that on.”
His mum chimed in with praise for her son’s level-headed nature: “I mean, you can see him. He’s a pretty even-keeled kid. He really does that on his own. I’m sure we help keep him grounded, but I think he is already grounded, and I think he should get a lot of credit for that.” we help keep him grounded, but I think he is already grounded, and I think he should get a lot of credit for that.”
