Cavan Sullivan, a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union, is 14 years old and the youngest player in Major Soccer League history.
Sullivan, who will join Manchester City at age 18, came on as an 85th minute substitute in a 5–1 win over the New England Revolution at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.
At 14 years and 293 days, he broke the previous record of 14 years and 306 days, set by Freddy Adu, who played for DC United in 2004.
Sullivan also became the youngest North American player to play in a team sport’s top division.
In May, he signed the largest home-grown player contract in MLS history with Philadelphia.
“The collaboration between the Union and the City Group was – that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They`re like every kid’s dream team,” Sullivan told ESPN at the time.
“For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something – I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan.”
Adu responded on social media to the fact that his record had been broken. “Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today,” Adu said.
“That`s a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man.”
Before Sullivan’s debut, Union manager Jim Curtin told the MLS website:, External “The sky is the limit.
“He’s a generational talent, one who can really change the game by himself.”
Sullivan’s younger brother Quinn (20) also plays for Union.
The youngest male player to play in the English top flight is Ethan Nwaneri, who made his Arsenal debut in 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.