The Sullivans family relishes the generational contract signed by the 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan on May 9, 2024, upholding the family legacy with parents and siblings by his side when he signed the contract with Philadelphia Union.
Cavan Sullivan is making waves in U.S. soccer history as the fifth youngest player to join Major League Soccer.
In 2022, he came under the radar of Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Cartin. Cavan’s contract was already in process even before he turned 14 last year.
However, it might not be a surprise if we were to look at his family history in soccer, starting with his paternal grandfather, Larry Sullivan, a former head men’s soccer coach.
Eventually, Cavan’s father and older brother Quinn have already established themselves as pro soccer players.
Cavan Sullivan grew up in a family of diverse backgrounds with over 55 cousins
Cavan Sullivan is 14 years old and was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, United States, to parents Brendan Sullivan and Heike.
He is 25% Bangladeshi, 25% German, and 50% white ethnicity because of his mother, Heike, who was born to a Bangladeshi mother, Sultana, and a German-born scholar father, Klaus Krippendorff.
However, Heike is a first-generation American who married Brendan Sullivan, a Philadelphia native, after they met at the University of Pennsylvania.
Brendan Sullivan comes from a soccer-rich family. His father, Larry Sullivan, is a former head men’s soccer coach who guided Cavan’s current head coach, Jim Cartin, at Vilanova University.
He grew up with 27 cousins from his parents’ side, including his cousin Chris Albright, a former soccer player.
Brendan’s mother was one of five children, and his father was one of nine children.
Thanks to the big family of Sullivans, Cavan and his brothers, Quinn, Ronan, and Declan, grew up alongside their 55 cousins.
Quinn is a 20 years old professional soccer player currently signed with the Philadelphia Union’s first team.
His younger and Cavan’s older twin brothers, Ronan and Declan, are also soccer players from YSC Academy, playing for FC DELCO. Because of their parents, all brothers hold dual citizenship.
This makes Cavan eligible to represent Bangladesh and Germany, as he also holds a German passport. He can also play from England and the United States.
Additional Information
- Cavan Sullivan’s parents, Brendan and Heike, played soccer collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania.
- He plays midfielder, while his brother Quinn plays attacking midfielder or winger.
- As per ESPN, Cavan has already signed up with Manchester City and will transfer after he turns 18 in 2028. Per his contract, he will receive $5 million.
