Bangladesh’s youth revolution gathered fresh momentum on Sunday night as Ronan Sullivan and Declan Sullivan landed in Dhaka to join the national Under-20 camp ahead of the SAFF U-20 Championship. The 18-year-old twins stepped off a 24-hour journey from the United States and drove straight to the team hotel to link up with the squad.
Their arrival capped months of paperwork, scouting calls and quiet negotiations inside the Bangladesh Football Federation.
Declan Sullivan, a right-back by trade, quickly grasped the scale of expectation waiting outside the airport gates. He admitted the moment carried weight, saying “I’m honoured to finally wear the red and green,” before promising he will “fight” every time he steps onto the pitch.
That quote captured the tone of the move perfectly. Bangladesh want more than passports and eligibility papers from diaspora recruits; they want bite and commitment.
His twin brother Ronan Sullivan, a centre-forward, echoed the same enthusiasm but framed the decision in simpler terms. He insisted choosing Bangladesh felt natural because “the fans made it an easy one,” then added bluntly, “now it’s time to win.”
The striker also tipped his hat to the people who pushed the process across the finish line. Ronan highlighted the work of team manager Sameed Quasem and youth football organiser Fahad Karim, noting they helped smooth the entire transition.
Those efforts now shift from paperwork to football. The Bangladesh U-20 squad already kicked off preparations with a training camp in Dhaka on Saturday. The young side tested itself immediately and edged past Abahani Limited 1-0 in a practice match on Sunday.
Quasem welcomed the Sullivan brothers but quickly pointed to the obvious challenge. The manager noted they travelled for “more than 24 hours,” a polite way of saying jet lag currently fights their biggest opponent.
Training therefore begins gently. The twins will step onto the pitch on Monday and gradually integrate into the squad’s tactical work.
Quasem believes the duo could inject something new into the dressing room. He explained that players raised in a different football environment can “bring new experiences” and help the entire group develop. That philosophy increasingly shapes Bangladesh football.
The federation has pushed aggressively to integrate expatriate players across several national teams, from senior level down to youth squads. The Sullivan twins represent the latest chapter in that strategy.
Now the clock ticks towards the tournament. Bangladesh will travel to the Maldives on March 21 after completing a week-long camp. The SAFF U-20 Championship runs from March 23 to April 4, with Bangladesh drawn in Group B alongside India and Pakistan.
