photograph @PhilaUnionII
According to Tom Bogart and Sam Lee: The AthleticThe Philadelphia Union and Manchester City have agreed to a transfer agreement under which 14-and-a-half-year-old Union Academy amateur player Cavan Sullivan will move to Manchester when he turns 18. Further investigation suggests the initial transfer fee could be $2.1 million. Additionally, Sullivan and the association are in the process of signing an MLS Homegrown contract, which is said to be the “richest in MLS history.”
Summary of facts and assumptions
Sullivan's raw deal with the Union makes him eligible to play with the first team.
He has already appeared on the organization's professional second team, assisting on the game-winning goal in his debut against New England Revolution II on March 24th (the blonde in the photo points to Sal Olivas, the winner). ing). What is less emphasized is that early in the game, a player in his mid-teens was beaten by a New England II marker in his 20s.
Citing a more detailed source after Bogart and Lee's initial report, Jonathan Tannenwald said: philadelphia inquirer contributes to the following points:
- Two separate contracts will be in place: a two-party deal between the Philadelphia Union and Manchester City, and a three-party deal between Major League Soccer, the Philadelphia Union, and Cavan Sullivan.
- Both deals are being finalized, but Tannenwald's sources expect them to be completed.
- Sullivan's contract with MLS and Philadelphia is expected to be “the richest for an MLS academy product in league history.”
- Tannewald did not provide many details about the Union's deal with Manchester. He said the deal would include a number of add-ons, a sell clause and a clause that would allow Sullivan to move to Europe within Citigroup's stable of teams if his development exceeds the MLS level.
- He also provides important technical explanations. Sullivan's mother has made her son eligible for a German passport, allowing him to work in the EU at the age of 16. However, due to the UK's recent departure from the European Union (Brexit), he cannot work there until he turns 18.
Inquirer's Soccer Writers also identified Sullivan's predecessor as the highest-paid first-year player in MLS. According to the MLS Players Association Salary Guide, local New York Red Bulls teenager Julian Hall will earn $167,685 in 2023. This is $100,325 more than the 2023 additional reserve roster minimum salary. Almost certainly, the excess amount will be achieved through home country player subsidy rules. Here is a link to his 2024 roster rules and regulations summary that are available to the public (these are not actual rules).
By releasing Hall's information, Tannenwald hinted that Sullivan's 2024 in-house contract could be similar. If so, and if PSP correctly calculates the maximum homegrown subsidy amount for 2024 (salary limits increase each year under the current CBA), would Sullivan's first-team contract match $214,716? , it may be less than that.
The fact that Tannenwald doesn't mention the U22 player effort suggests it probably doesn't apply to Sullivan. The wording of that rule (see link above) indicates that players from your country are eligible to be included in the rule.
analysis
All advance clues indicated that Sullivan would leave the Union's academy for free and enter directly into Manchester City's system as soon as he became eligible at the age of 16. Tannenwald, the reporter who has been following the story closely, calls the change in direction “a miracle.”
Sullivan enjoys several benefits by signing with Union rather than Citigroup.
- He started earning money a year and a half early.
- He has now turned professional and achieved what he had set as a personal goal.
- He ensures that if you grow beyond the capabilities of the association to improve your play, you will quickly move to a better situation without stagnation.
- He may not have to leave his home, school, teammates, and friends anytime soon.
The benefits earned by other parties are:
- Manchester City have established some control over the players they want to sign, a year and a half earlier than they would have otherwise, giving them a head start on further competition.
- Philadelphia was able to benefit from their investment in players.
- More importantly, Philadelphia has established credibility as a source of player development for world soccer's giants.
- If Sullivan develops as expected and can make a smooth and successful transition to Citigroup's suite of clubs, he will garner worldwide attention from other players, clubs and leagues.
Important: Comparing Messi and Sullivan
The so-called “Inter Messi CF” is currently attracting the attention of fans all over the world. MLS has quickly gained credibility, sold tickets and increased viewership, but how long will the Messi effect last? He is 37 years old. Luis Suarez is older, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are on par. And the pace of Miami's schedule is intense.
If Cavan Sullivan develops into a top-class soccer player, Major League Soccer will gain even more credibility as a selling league, which is a long-term goal.
Which phenomenon do you think will become more important by the 2030 World Cup?
the last mystery
How will Philadelphia and Manchester determine whether Sullivan's developmental needs extend beyond the MLS level?
Parties should have developed measurable and objective criteria to provide a framework to limit such conversations. There is no doubt that there is also a “highlight” element. However, the metric must provide both the trigger and the parameters for the conversation.
The metrics are likely proprietary. The general public will have little or no idea who they are. We believe that Mr. Ernst Tanner's track record and reputation may have helped Citigroup gain confidence in entering into such an arrangement. In a more traditional comparable business transaction, both parties may expect the other to ensure proper conduct.
Successful assessment of the development threshold within a transaction could provide a valuable precedent for similar transactions in the future.
