Manchester City staff left ‘excited’ by potential of breakthrough 15-year-old training with Club this week | OneFootball

A breakout 15-year-old talent has captured the attention of Manchester City staff this week as part of a training visit from the United States, it has been revealed.

The teenager in question is Cavan Sullivan – the Philadelphia Union prodigy who agreed a long-term move to the Etihad Stadium back in 2024, and is currently regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in North America.

Sullivan’s ongoing time in Manchester forms part of a structured integration plan ahead of his official transfer to the club in 2027, after City reached a landmark agreement to sign the teenager as a 14-year-old, with Philadelphia Union simultaneously awarding the player the largest homegrown contract in Major League Soccer history.

The plan, widely viewed as one of the most ambitious transatlantic youth deals ever completed, sees the teenager remain with Union for the coming years while maintaining close contact with Manchester City coaches and development staff.

In previous comments following the agreement, Sullivan underlined his admiration for Manchester City, calling them “every kid’s dream team” and highlighting the unified vision shared by both clubs in shaping his development.

Since then, City have taken steps to ensure that he becomes increasingly familiar with the culture, standards, and expectations at the Etihad Stadium, with his most recent training stint representing the next stage in that journey.

As revealed by football insider Fabrizio Romano, the 15-year-old American wonderkid has started training at Manchester City’s camp this week as planned, ahead of an official move to the club in the summer of 2027.

It is detailed that City Football Academy staff have been left ‘excited’ with the teenager’s potential and have been ‘closely monitoring every step of his growth’, while being ‘convinced’ of the fact that they have seemingly signed a top talent.

The latest update follows Sullivan’s eye-catching City Under-21 debut, when he scored his first goal for the club within 16 minutes of stepping onto the pitch in a pre-season clash against Buxton.

Despite only being 15, Sullivan is already being treated with the long-term vision of a senior first-team prospect. City are expected to remain heavily involved in his progression even during his remaining years in MLS, with regular communication, tailored physical and technical tracking, and more visits to Manchester on the table.

In the long run, Sullivan could be integrated into City’s elite development squad once he turns 18, though a loan within the City Football Group system is also a strong possibility. Girona, who have played a key role in nurturing young talents in recent years, could emerge as a potential landing spot.

Regardless of the route taken, Manchester City appear fully convinced that they have secured a generational American talent. The positive early signs from his training visit – combined with his immediate impact on the pitch – have only reinforced the belief within the club’s technical ranks that Cavan Sullivan could become a standout name in the club’s next generation.