Last month, Norristown’s Cavan Sullivan made his debut for the Philadelphia Union, writes Dan Gelston for Yahoo Sports.
At 14 years old, this makes Sullivan the youngest athlete to ever appear in a professional sports league.
July was a big month for Sullivan. He also threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Phillies–Yankees game on July 30. While at the game, he got to meet another teen prodigy: Bryce Harper.
Harper is a self-proclaimed soccer fan. During the Phillies’ London Series against the New York Mets, he celebrated with a soccer knee slide to the cheering of fans. Harper is a big fan of Sullivan.
“Your skills are incredible, bro. Incredible,” he told Sullivan the day he threw out the pitch.
“As you know, a lot of work to do still,” the rookie midfielder told Harper who was familiar with high expectations at an early age. Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16.
Sullivan inked a special deal with Manchester City through the Philadelphia Union. As the Premier League won’t allow Sullivan to play until he turns 18, the contract allows him to play for Philadelphia and allows the organization to develop his talents.
While many fans expect big things from the soccer phenom, Sullivan insists on staying present and grounded.
“Man City doesn’t mean anything if I don’t do anything here,” he said.
Read more about Cavan Sullivan and his promising future in soccer at Yahoo Sports.
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