Liam Cooper has been speaking to CSKA Sofia’s website having penned a two-year deal following his exit from Leeds United, and he has explained why he chose to move to Bulgaria.
The 33-year-old turned down the offer of new terms at Leeds with some reports suggesting the wage on offer was far beneath what he was expecting. It saw a 10-year stint at Leeds end, Cooper leaving an icon.
A huge 284 games, the majority of which he captained Leeds. Promotion under Marcelo Bielsa as the man to captain Leeds back into the Premier League after a 16-year wait, as well as earning 19 Scotland caps.
Cooper had interest from Championship clubs this summer as a free agent. But an agreement was not reached and the left-footed defender has chosen to make the surprise move to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.
Cooper explains decision to make surprise CSKA Sofia move
Cooper joins a massive club with huge expectation, but one that has made a woeful start to the 2024-25 season. Probably, part of the reason that Cooper has been drafted in in an attempt to bolster their ranks.
Five defeats from six league games this season leave CSKA Sofia way down in the relegation zone at this early point in the season. Cooper could make his debut on Monday, when they face Lokomotiv Sofia.
Cooper told CSKA Sofia’s website: “I am 100 percent convinced. I spent an amazing 10 years at Leeds, the club that will always be my home and close to my heart. But it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.
“European football for a huge club in Bulgaria is all I wanted, to challenge myself in a new culture and a new environment. I’ve never had an opportunity like this. This one seems good for me and my family.”
Cooper could have joined Blackburn or Watford this summer
John Eustace was keen to add some experience to his Blackburn defence and staged talks with Cooper. But an impasse was reached with Cooper requesting a two-year deal and Blackburn only offering one.
Tom Cleverley has impressed as Watford manager and also showed interest in signing the former Leeds captain, but a move didn’t materialise. There were also links with Cody Drameh’s Hull City and Derby.
But instead, Cooper has decided to make the shock move to Bulgaria and he could now turn out for his side on Monday. It will be interesting to see if CSKA Sofia throw him in at the deep end and start him.
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