Leeds United have staged a mini-rebuild this summer after selling eight players on a permanent basis, letting five go on loan and plenty more at the end of their contracts.
Not only that, but those on loan at Leeds also left apart from Joe Rodon who joined permanently. Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony both left, with the duo now linking up at Saturday’s opponents Burnley.
It left Daniel Farke with work to do in the transfer market and Leeds made eight new signings, including two on deadline day in the form of Japan star Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt from Swiss side St. Gallen.
Many left the club on a free transfer and required replacing. The likes of Cody Drameh, Luke Ayling, Ian Poveda and Jamie Shackleton all saw their contracts expire and have since joined Championship clubs.
Gruev played key role in Liam Cooper’s move to CSKA Sofia
Another to go on a free was of course, captain Liam Cooper. The left-footed defender has since been replaced by the returning Max Wober at Elland Road, though the Austrian’s long-term future is a doubt.
After links with a whole host of Championship sides, 19-time Scotland star Cooper chose to join Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia on a two-year deal. A surprise move, but one Cooper says he spoke to Gruev about.
Cooper told CSKA Sofia’s website: “When I first heard about the interest I was very enthusiastic to come to a European capital, a club with such a history. I spoke to Stiliyan Petrov and Ilia Gruev, who is at Leeds.
“They told me great things which made it easy. I spoke with my managers, I had a few conversations with the directors of CSKA, coach Tomas. The process was long but I’m finally here. I can’t wait to get started.”
When Cooper could make his debut for new side CSKA Sofia
Cooper’s CSKA Sofia are in action for the first time since the announcement of Cooper today, September 16 at 5.45pm. His new side are struggling in Bulgaria’s top tier, losing five of their first six league games.
A woeful start given they finished in a solid third place last season. A club with a huge following and big expectation, there will be plenty of pressure to turn things around this season and target the top three.
CSKA Sofia take on Lokomotiv Sofia this evening and it could see Cooper start for the first time in the red and white of the Bulgarian giants. But he may require some fitness training having missed pre-season.
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