Liam Cooper has been speaking to new club CSKA Sofia’s media following his move to the Bulgarian side in the last week, and says he loved one Leeds United player the moment he joined.
Cooper, 33, has agreed two-year deal at historic Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia who have made a woeful start to the season. Five defeats in their first six league games leaves them in the relegation zone right now.
The Scotland international has been drafted in to help the Bulgarian outfit get back to where they belong in the League, having finished in third place last season. He could make his debut on Monday evening.
Cooper ended a 10-year spell at Elland Road that saw him clock up a huge 284 games for The Whites, and score 11 goals. He joined Leeds, remarkably, in Massimo Cellino’s first season at the club back in 2014.
Cooper praises Leeds player Ilia Gruev in CSKA Sofia interview
Gruev, 24, joined Leeds a year ago from German side Werder Bremen and struggled to get a chance in the side initially. He was made to wait for game time but was one of a few players who came in in January.
Alongside Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo and Wilfried Gnonto, the quartet came into the starting line-up at the midway point. £4m Gruev has remained a key player since, proving to be a key part of this Leeds side.
Cooper told CSKA Sofia’s site: “Ilia is a great person. I liked him from the minute he came to Leeds. He has a great family and is very down to earth, easy to communicate with. I helped him a lot to settle in Leeds.”
Cooper could make his debut for CSKA Sofia on Monday evening
A Sofia derby takes place at 5.45pm as CSKA Sofia go to Lokomotiv Sofia. A side that currently sit in 10th place of a 16-team league, and Cooper could be in line to make his debut for his new side this evening.
Whether or not he is fit and raring to go having not done a pre-season with a club remains to be seen. But CSKA Sofia desperately need a spark from somewhere and Cooper could be the man to provide that.
It might be that Cooper is on the bench this evening and given a few minutes, as CSKA Sofia look to ease him in. His age and injury record may be taken into consideration, but no surprises if he does start.
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