Liam Cooper to discard ‘unbelievable’ Patrick Bamford comments as former Leeds stars become rivals
Sheffield Wednesday confirmed the signing of former Leeds United defender Liam Cooper, only days after Patrick Bamford arrived at Sheffield United.
Cooper left Leeds last year after wrapping up an incredible decade at Elland Road, which included promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.
CSKA Sofia snapped up Cooper on a free transfer in a surprise move out of England, with the 34-year-old only making 27 appearances for the Bulgarian outfit.
Sheffield Wednesday have since signed Cooper after being granted special dispensation to sign new players, and supporters of Leeds will be invested in their former captain’s first game.
Liam Cooper will face Patrick Bamford in his first Sheffield Wednesday match
Wednesday wrapped up the addition of the English centre-back on a free transfer until the end of the season.
The veteran has endured a difficult 18 months since leaving Elland Road and will be delighted to return to the Championship, despite the Owls sitting bottom of the table on -4 points after their minus 12 deduction.
Cooper will be thrown straight into the thick of the action this weekend, as Sheffield Wednesday prepare for their Steel City derby against Sheffield United on November 23.
The Blades surprisingly sit third from bottom in the second tier and are three points adrift of safety, ramping up the importance of this fierce rivalry.
Interestingly, after Sheffield United signed Patrick Bamford last week, it presents the chance for Cooper to come up against his former teammate, whom he has spoken very highly of.
What Cooper has said about Bamford
Wednesday are nailed on for relegation to League One after their 12-point deduction, but bragging rights are bigger than ever this weekend.
Cooper will be desperate to get one over on Bamford in this fixture, but when they shared the pitch in West Yorkshire, the former was full of praise for the striker.
Speaking in February 2021, Cooper praised Bamford as ‘unbelievable’ during a campaign when the striker scored 17 Premier League goals.
“[Patrick Bamford] is flying,” Cooper said. “We see it every day in training. He works so hard for the team, he gives us a focal point, and hopefully he can continue to do what he is doing as he has been unbelievable for us.”
This weekend, it will be weird for Leeds fans to see their former heroes playing for their Yorkshire rivals, setting up an eye-watering reunion.
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