According to The Athletic, American prodigy Cavan Sullivan will join Manchester City when he turns 18. Despite Manchester City's recent turmoil, the American sensation is still scheduled to join in January 2028.

Sources tell The Athletic that despite the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's future, the prospect of USMNT rising star Cavan Sullivan joining remains unchanged. He will join Manchester City in January 2028, after turning 18.

After The Athletic first broke the news last Friday, an independent Premier League commission this week released a report upholding all but one of the 115 charges against Manchester City for breaching Premier League financial rules.

Manchester City has confirmed it will appeal the ruling, which did not include any determination on penalties for the club. All of this means the case could drag on even longer.

Sources familiar with the situation say Sullivan is currently focused on playing for MLS side Philadelphia Union and the US national team, and his contract to join Manchester City in 15 months remains valid.

Before any potential penalties, the original plan was to reassess Sullivan's optimal development path at that time: whether he would be ready to join Manchester City immediately or if he would need to be loaned out for more playing time. Potential penalties would become another factor in that discussion, but with so many matters still unresolved, the American prodigy's situation remains unchanged.

Sullivan has been outstanding for Philadelphia Union, making his senior US national team debut last weekend and becoming the youngest USMNT starter this century. He was also named MLS Player of the Month for September, the youngest player in league history to receive the honor.

Sullivan, who just turned 17 this week, has thrived since MLS resumed after the World Cup break this summer. He has been central to the Philadelphia Union's surprising mid-season resurgence, with the club now unbeaten in 12 matches (10 wins, 2 draws). In 1,450 minutes of league play, he has contributed 7 goals and 12 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 76 minutes.

The agreement between all parties means Sullivan will remain a Philadelphia Union player until January 2028, which is the first transfer window after he turns 18 in September 2027. Sources say that if Manchester City believes his development would be better served by a move to Europe this winter or next summer—he would be eligible for EU leagues once he turns 16, but not English leagues until he is 18—any change would require Philadelphia Union's consent and additional compensation. It is unlikely that Philadelphia Union would allow Sullivan to leave early.

Manchester City signed Sullivan when he was 14, a deal negotiated alongside his first Philadelphia contract, as he wanted to start his professional career with the club he supported as a child, where his brother Quinn currently plays.

Philadelphia Union and Manchester City regularly communicate about Sullivan's progress. Given his exceptional performance level, which is higher than any player his age in league history, everything is proceeding smoothly.

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