Man City transfer news: Cavan Sullivan plan ‘revealed’ as record-breaking American prepares for future move

Manchester City have devised a fresh plan to integrate future signing Cavan Sullivan into their setup at the Etihad Stadium, according to a report.

Sullivan made MLS history in May last year when he signed the largest-ever homegrown contract with Philadelphia Union at the age of just 14, which includes a future transfer to Man City.

The American midfielder, who turns 16 at the end of September, became the fifth youngest player to sign a first-team contract in MLS history and is widely regarded as one of the best young prospects in world football.

Since signing his first professional contract, Sullivan has made a total of 13 senior appearances for Philadelphia, including his debut when he became the youngest ever MLS player (14 years, 293 days) 12 months ago.

Sullivan has featured eight times in MLS in the 2025 campaign, including his first and only start to date, aged 15 years and 280 days old, in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Nashville SC last month.

The midfielder has balanced his first-team opportunities for Philadelphia with game time for the club’s affiliate side (Philadelphia Union II) for whom he has scored five goals in nine MLS Next Pro games so far this season.

Sullivan set to begin Man City training this week

Sullivan is keen to continue impressing for Philadelphia, but he is also looking forward to getting familiar with the surroundings at his future home on the blue side of Manchester.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Sullivan is set to fly to England this week to begin his training camp with Man City.

Romano adds that the ‘elite talent’ will begin his first steps at Man City this summer, but will formally join the club in 2027 when he turns 18.

Man City have made a notable effort to sign several highly-rated youngsters since the arrival of new director of football Hugo Viana, who has been tasked with first-team recruitment and reducing the age of Pep Guardiola’s senior squad.

Abdukodir Khusanov (21) and Vitor Reis (19) both arrived at the Etihad in January along with Claudio Echeverri (19), who City agreed to sign prior to Viana’s arrival, while Juma Bah (19) was signed and immediately loaned to Lens in the winter window before joining Nice on a temporary basis earlier this summer.

Twenty-one-year-old Rayan Cherki and 18-year-old Sverre Nypan have since been signed by Man City ahead of the new campaign, though the latter is expected to leave on loan.

Written by
Oliver Thomas