End of Leeds United era close as Liam Cooper agrees deal in principle for mega-money transfer
Liam Cooper looks to be heading for an exit from Elland Road on what will be a sad day for all those associated with Leeds United.
talkSPORT reported on 3 August that the 31-year-old had been offered a lucrative contract by Al-Qadisiyah, who are managed by former Whites forward Robbie Fowler.
Saudi Arabian reporter Abu Faisal, who’s written for Al-Nadwa and Al-Riyadh, tweeted on 3 August that the Scotland international has “agreed in principle” to join the Middle Eastern side this summer.
Leeds fans have been braced for a number of departures ever since the relegation to the Championship was confirmed just over a couple of months ago.
That has so far been the case as several first-team players have either decided to exercise clauses in their contracts or just push for a move elsewhere.
Robin Koch, Max Wober, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca and Rodrigo have all left the club as all of them – barring the Spanish forward – were desperate to continue playing at the highest possible level.
While you can understand that to some degree, a lot of the performances from some of those players weren’t good enough and it would have been refreshing to see some of them look to stay and help the club regain promotion.
One player you thought would definitely want to stay and try and achieve that goal would be captain Cooper after leading the side for a number of years, but that doesn’t look to be the case.
It’s even more surprising after hearing what former Leeds assistant manager Karl Robinson revealed the centre-back said following the club’s crushing defeat to Tottenham in May.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 3 August, Robinson said: “At the end of the game against Tottenham, Liam Cooper stood up and everyone was down and a little bit struggling with what’s just happened and he said a few words.
“And I thought to myself, do you know what, there’s a proper man, someone who literally said, ‘If you don’t want to be here next year, don’t come back.’
“I sort of looked at him and you could see there was a steeliness in his eyes that he was so determined to drag Leeds United back to the Premier League.”
It appears, though, that a lucrative offer from Al-Qadisiyah has now tempted Cooper to leave Elland Road, but it will no doubt be with a heavy heart.
He has given everything for the club since signing from Chesterfield in 2014 and can be really proud of what he has achieved during that time.
The defender was instrumental in helping the Whites make their long-awaited return to the Premier League and his efforts will be very much appreciated.
Although many would’ve hoped he would stick around and help the club fight to get back to the top flight again, they will understand that a potentially life-changing amount of money could be on offer.
He is now heading towards the back end of his career and you really can’t blame him for securing his future for when he eventually hangs up his boots.
In other Leeds United news, one exit-linked star has told his agent he would rather stay at Elland Road than join PL club.