This summer, a ton of players have been connected to moves to Saudi Arabia, but few football fans anticipated that Leeds United captain Liam Cooper would be one of them.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s January transfer to Al-Nassr, a large number of talented footballers have left major European teams for the Middle East.
Cooper could have been mentioned alongside those well-known players earlier this summer. Neymar, Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho, N’Golo Kante, Aymeric Laporte, and Jordan Henderson are among the greatest names to transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
On Saturday, September 2, Athletic journalist Phil Hay wrote that the 32-year-old Leeds captain had turned down a transfer to Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window.
He reportedly chose to stay at Elland Road rather than travel to the Middle East like Ronaldo and Neymar, and he has been open to signing a new deal as his current one expires the next year.
Sadly for the Hull-born Scotland international, he suffered an ankle injury while playing against Cardiff City on the first day of the season. He scored in the 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
On Saturday, September 2, Athletic journalist Phil Hay wrote that the 32-year-old Leeds captain had turned down a transfer to Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window.
He reportedly chose to stay at Elland Road rather than travel to the Middle East like Ronaldo and Neymar, and he has been open to signing a new deal as his current one expires the next year.
Sadly for the Hull-born Scotland international, he suffered an ankle injury while playing against Cardiff City on the first day of the season. He scored in the 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
Based on the sums that have been spent on players from Saudi Arabian teams this summer, Cooper’s move will change his life.
Naturally, he wouldn’t generally be mentioned when people talk about the talent influx to the Saudi Pro League alongside names like Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema (maybe he’s more on par with the Jason Denayer signing at Al-Fateh).
But if there is money involved, Cooper wouldn’t care about that.
Who is to say that he will even feature in half of Leeds’ Championship games this season if he continues to suffer from injuries?
Does he replace Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, or Charlie Cresswell even if he is healthy?
Fair enough, Cooper’s time in the spotlight at Leeds ended a long time ago, and despite what he told the team at the end of last season when relegation was assured, we wouldn’t begrudge him if he were to fly to Saudi Arabia in the next 24 to 36 hours.