Philadelphia Union teenager Cavan Sullivan claims he signed for the club due to Manchester City.
The Premier League giants already own New York City FC as part of the City Football Group of clubs.
Now they are partnering with Union regarding young players, with 14-year-old Sullivan admitting as much.
He told ESPN: "The collaboration between the Union and the City Group... I think that did it for me.
"I always watch Man City. They're like every kid's dream team. For them [Philadelphia and City] to come together and agree on something - I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan.
"I guess my goal is just to become a regular player [for Philadelphia] within the next two years. And then after that I would hope to be a starter. I guess that's from the 16 to 18 age window. And then right when I'm 18 I hope to be at the level of the Man City first team."
His father is quoted as saying: "I think he's a pretty mature kid. I think he gets some of it. That's not to say we don't think there's going to be bumps along the way. We definitely know that.
"And I think that's part of the reason this collaboration between the Union and City Group is so important because he really does have a safety net here."
