Liam Cooper leaves Leeds United — Leedsunited.com 11/9/24

Captain departs after 10 years at Elland Road.

Leeds United can confirm Liam Cooper has left the club to take up an opportunity overseas, following the expiration of his contract.

The 33-year-old joined the Whites in 2014 and became a hugely popular and influential member of the squad, both on and off the pitch in that time.

Cooper began his long-standing association with the club after joining from Chesterfield, with Leeds playing in the Sky Bet Championship.

Just three days after signing for the Whites, Cooper made the first of his 284 appearances for his boyhood club, a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. A few months into that season, he would receive the armband, taking over the captaincy of the team.

A first goal for the Whites would come on home turf against Blackpool, in the form of a memorable left-footed half-volley from the edge of the box, to set the side on the way to winning three points.

That season saw Cooper make 31 appearances, which would then be backed up with 59 appearances in all competitions across the next two seasons.

A mid-table finish for the club in the 2017/18 season allowed the skipper to captain the side a further 32 times, netting another memorable goal, this time at home to Brentford by cleverly guiding home a header in a 1-0 win.

The 2018/19 campaign under then head coach Marcelo Bielsa and Cooper’s captaincy was the start of a new era at Elland Road. Although the season would ultimately end in Play-Off heartbreak, his 39 appearances and three goals saw the club gain momentum and belief of a return to the Premier League.

And then, in 2019/20, that return was completed, in memorable and spectacular style as the captain went up to lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy.

A total of 93 points from 46 games, Leeds were 10 points clear of second place and returned to the Premier League. Cooper made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice, away at Brentford and at home to Stoke City.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant that the iconic trophy was lifted without fans. However, Cooper’s love of Leeds as a city and for the people saw our captain keep in contact with regular online meetings and messages to supporters throughout many tough months.

His commitment to off-field activities saw the captain help our community by providing over 7,000 meals for children across the region during half-terms, whilst also providing smiles and enjoyment for children with his LC6 football academy.

Back on the pitch but away from the club, Cooper would also receive international recognition. He had made his commitment to Scotland in 2008 at Under-17 level, before then making a first senior call up in 2016.

He would be a regular for the Tartan Army from 2020 onwards, helping his nation to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, before more recently, playing his part in the team making a second successive Euros final this summer in Germany.

After promotion, Cooper would return to action for the Whites, achieving a childhood dream of captaining Leeds in the Premier League. His first time doing so for the side was in a home victory over Fulham.

He would go on to make 25 league appearances as the Whites finished ninth in a memorable first year back in the top-flight, before going on to then play for Scotland against the Czech Republic that summer in the European Championships.

Over the next two seasons, the centre-half would make 42 appearances for the club in the top-tier of English football.

In his 10th and final campaign for the club, in the opening day curtain raiser against Cardiff City, Cooper’s well-timed header handed Leeds a lifeline as the Whites eventually fought back to draw at Elland Road.

His off-field and on-field experience helped Daniel Farke to integrate and promote youth into the starting line-up at the club, with Cooper always on hand to offer wise words and tactical know-how.

The Scotland international made a further 18 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable cameo off the bench in United’s Play-Off semi-final success over Norwich City.

A true Leeds United legend, Cooper now departs with the love and best wishes for all those who had the pleasure of working with him, alongside him, supporting him and cheering his name.

He helped transform the fortunes and culture of the club and had a monumental impact.

Liam and his family will always be welcome back at Elland Road, he will go down in history as one of the club’s greatest ever captains.

Thank you for everything, skip.

Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has today paid tribute to Liam Cooper, after the defender agreed to move overseas following the expiration of his contract, ending his association with the Whites which stretched back to August 2014:

Coops’ 10 years of service to Leeds United is made more special as we live in an age where players, sadly, seldom make long term commitments to one club.

His leadership, as a warrior on the pitch and as an ambassador off it, has been exemplary and core to the foundations which have seen the club enjoy its most successful period for two decades.

Whilst he will rightly be remembered for captaining the side to a Premier League return after a 16 year absence, for me, it was his leadership and selflessness to help steer the club through the financial turmoil of the pandemic, which will also give him a unique place in the club’s history.

It goes without saying, that Elland Road will always be his home.

Angus Kinnear

Leeds United CEO

After 10 years’ exemplary service to the Whites, Liam Cooper leaves Leeds United having made over 250 appearances for the club, captaining the side to the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship title and leading his team out in the Premier League. With news of the skipper’s departure, we have taken a look at a number of moments both on and off the pitch that have defined Liam’s time at the club and cement his status as a Leeds United legend.

After signing from Chesterfield, Cooper’s first competitive appearance for the Whites would come in the 2014/15 curtain raiser against Middlesbrough, with the centre-half playing the full 90 minutes alongside Jason Pearce in the heart of the defence. Aged 22, Cooper’s maiden Leeds appearance ended in success, with Billy Sharp’s late goal firing Dave Hockaday’s side to a 1-0 victory at Elland Road.

Liam’s first goal in white came in just his seventh league appearance and in some style, emphatically smashing in a volley against Blackpool at Elland Road. Alex Mowatt’s cross from the left had been charged down initially by the visitors, with the ball setting up invitingly for Cooper on the edge of the box to lash a stunning left-footed strike beyond the despairing dive of Joe Lewis in the Tangerines' goal, with United recording a 3-1 win.

A proud moment for Liam and his family came at the turn of the year during his first season, captaining his boyhood club for the very first time in an FA Cup tie away at Sunderland. After being handed the armband by Neil Redfearn, Cooper said it was "a dream come true to captain a club like Leeds United. It’s a great experience and long may it continue". And continue it did, with the Scotland international captaining the side over 200 more times throughout his illustrious time in West Yorkshire.

The 2018/19 season brought around a new era at Elland Road under Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa, with the season's opener against Stoke City living long in the memory for those inside Elland Road. Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez fired Leeds into a two-goal lead at the break, with Cooper's powerful second-half header ensuring victory for the Whites. That season would ultimately end in heartbreak for the club, but with fresh optimism and belief that success was around the corner, Leeds would go again the following campaign…

Heading into February 2020's clash away at Brentford, Bielsa's side had lost four of their last five in the Sky Bet Championship and that torrid run of form threatened to continue when Said Benrahma put the hosts into an early lead. However, before the break, the defender was well-placed to bundle home an equaliser as Leeds earnt a vital point to get their season back on track.

Leeds would go on to win 12 of their next 14 league matches, ultimately to be crowned champions and earn a long-awaited return to the Premier League. After a 4-0 demolition of Charlton Athletic in the final game of the season, Cooper proudly lifted the Sky Bet Championship trophy aloft, with the Whites’ 16-year exile from the top-flight coming to an end. Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic meant this moment was done behind closed doors, with fans forced to watch on from afar with the country still in lockdown.

An injury picked up on the eve of Leeds United’s Premier League return saw Liam miss the following season’s opener away at Liverpool, with United’s skipper back to proudly captain the club in our first home match of the campaign. In a thrilling encounter that swung one way and another, Bielsa's side eventually came out on top with a superb 4-3 victory, thanks to goals from Klich, Patrick Bamford and a Helder Costa brace.

The first match of Daniel Farke’s tenure at Elland Road brought a home tie with Cardiff City, as Leeds looked to put relegation behind them and plot a return to the Premier League. The opener would prove to be a tricky affair when the Bluebirds raced into a two-goal lead, but Cooper’s crucial header after the break handed the Whites a lifeline, with Crysencio Summerville then smashing home a last-gasp leveller. Liam’s header would encapsulate the ‘side before self’ mantra of the club, with the captain forced off through an injury picked up whilst scoring, going on to miss the next five matches.

Whilst the Play-Off campaign would ultimately end in heartbreak under the Wembley Arch, the semi-final provided another memorable moment for Liam when he was brought off the bench to a standing ovation from all four sides of the ground, with Leeds 4-0 up against Norwich City. ‘If Cooper scores, we’re on the pitch!’ shouted the fans and, whilst unable to get on the scoresheet, the 32-year-old helped ensure Leeds reached the final in the capital.

Liam led by example both off the pitch and on it, and his commitment to the city, the community and the people of Leeds was a great source of pride for the club. Everyone connected with Leeds United, and the wider football family, was truly saddened to hear of the passing of young Whites supporter Toby Nye who unfortunately lost his brave fight against cancer in 2019. During his treatment, Liam and his teammates became incredibly close with Toby, who featured as a mascot for the club.

The family spirit of the club has been something Liam has epitomised during his time in West Yorkshire, spending time with a number of families and making experiences memorable whenever children have had chance to meet the players. Last November, Roux, a young boy bravely fighting against a life-threatening brain tumour, was invited up to Thorp Arch along with his brother Noah and their parents, to spend time with the squad and have a front row seat to watch Farke’s side in training.

A vocal supporter of equality and inclusion within football, Liam has proudly supported different campaigns such as Rainbow Laces and Black Lives Matter. Throughout his time at the club, Liam has also regularly backed the Mission Christmas campaign, helping ensure families from all backgrounds were supported over the festive period and young children had presents to open.

An open letter from Liam Cooper.

To the best in the land. After 10 years, 7 as your captain, it's time to say goodbye.

When I arrived at LUFC I had one ambition and that was to leave the shirt in a better position than when I arrived. I do believe I have done that, with the help and support of some incredible people.

Firstly I have to thank Marcelo and his staff. My relationship with Marcelo is well documented, he made me a better player, a better leader and a better man. I would like to thank all of the managers I have worked with in the past decade but Marcelo's influence on me and the Club in general was beyond anything I can put into words.

l also need to thank all of the coaches, physios and backroom staff past and present, across the first team and academy at Thorp Arch, for everything they have done for me. Many of these people have become more than colleagues over the years. These people help drive & maintain the standards behind the scenes and I will miss them all greatly, you all know who you are.

During my time I have played with so many players, far too many to mention by name, but I do need to give a special mention a fair few. Bill, Klichy, Adam, Patrick, and DJ who I shared amazing moments with and now unbelievable friendships. The 2020 promotion team was probably the best team I have ever been involved with, a team built on pure hard work and humility. The weight of the shirt is very heavy, but we put side before self and came together to achieve something special with memories that will last forever.

I also have to mention one man in particular who has been by my side through everything, Stu. The bond between us lives beyond football and it was an honour to share some of the best days of my career together with him. He showed me the way all too many times and I'll never forget that.

And to the fans, yes you lunatics and the heart beat of our great club. Your unwavering support for myself and the boys meant everything. You will never know how much you drive the players on, my only sadness looking back is not getting to lift that title at Elland Road in front of you.

I leave the Club proud of what we achieved together, I was never perfect, but throughout my time I tried to represent you and the club with dignity and modesty at all times. I've met some truly inspiring individuals in the community over the last 10 years from all walks of life. I appreciate each and every one of you, for making me a better person and proving far and wide that some things are more important than football.

As I move on to the next chapter of my career I will look back and be very proud but also hungry for more. Stay loud and stay proud. I'll see you in the terraces.

Good luck to Daniel, his staff and Ethan and the boys for the rest of the season. When that train starts it's difficult to stop.

On behalf of myself and family - Thank you all for everything, memories we will cherish forever.

Marching on Together

Coops