Philadelphia Union signs pair of 16-year-old Homegrown Players

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union announced that defensive midfielder Brandan Craig and midfielder Quinn Sullivan have signed professional contracts with the club which will take effect on January 1, 2021.

Following Philadelphia Union’s historic Supporters’ Shield victory which included three homegrown players in the starting line-up, the duo becomes the seventh and eighth Homegrown signings since Sporting Director Ernst Tanner joined the club in 2018. They are also the 16th and 17th all-time homegrown players and two of the youngest to sign in club history.

?HOMEGROWN SIGNINGS ALERT!

Midfielder Quinn Sullivan & defensive midfielder Brandan Craig have signed Union first-team contracts, effective January 1, 2021.

Welcome to the first team, guys! ? https://t.co/fGs1Jwn6iR#DOOP pic.twitter.com/njHOoMAYpu

— X – PhilaUnion? (@PhilaUnion) November 12, 2020

“These are two young, promising players who have fit in well with our system at every level of their development,” said Tanner. “Both players excelled at our academy, which is one of the most challenging environments for young talents. Their work ethic is evident by their quick ascension and success with Union II where they were able to make early, immediate impacts. Brandan has a strong set piece delivery and impressive passing range for his age. Quinn is strong in the tackle, covers an incredible amount of ground, and has the precise type of tenacious attitude we want in our squad. The best academies continually produce new and exciting talents, and to me, these players are further proof of concept. We look forward to welcoming them to the first team.”

Craig played four seasons for the Union Academy, spanning from the U-12 team to U-18/19 team in that time. He played in 85 games, including 66 starts and scored 14 goals. In 2020, Craig joined Union II and started 11 of 14 games, scoring his first USL Championship goal against rival Loudoun United. Craig also became the youngest captain in Union II history on September 2. Internationally, Craig’s latest call up in April 2019 for the Torneo Delle Nazioni tournament was his sixth call up to US Boys National Teams.

Sullivan also played four seasons for the Union academy, playing with the U-12s through the U-18/19s. He started 66 of his 90 games played and scored 32 goals in that time, including a 19-goal season in 2018-2019 with the U-15s. Sullivan saw his first minutes with Union II on July 19, 2020 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He would go on to play in nine more games for the USL Championship side.

TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign defender Brandan Craig and midfielder Quinn Sullivan as a Homegrown Player on October 29, 2020, to become effective January 1, 2021.

Name: Brandan Craig
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 159
Born: April 7, 2004
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign defender Brandan Craig as a Homegrown Player on November 12, 2020, to become effective January 1, 2021.

Name: Quinn Sullivan
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150
Born: March 27, 2004
Hometown: Wayne, PA
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Quinn Sullivan as a Homegrown Player on November 12, 2020, to become effective January 1, 2021.