Plenty of players left Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer but one name is yet to sign on at a new club, but that is set to change on Tuesday as he jets over to a new country.
The likes of Jamie Shackleton, Cody Drameh, Luke Ayling and Ian Poveda all left Leeds at the end of their contracts. They have joined Championship clubs in Sheffield United, Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
It has been an exodus of players at Elland Road this summer and it feels as if the last group of players to shine during the Marcelo Bielsa era have gone. Jack Harrison again, Stuart Dallas and Ayling have gone.
Another of course is Liam Cooper, after 10 years of service at Leeds and the majority of that as captain. He joined Leeds from Chesterfield in 2014 during Cellino’s first summer as owner of the Yorkshire club.
Liam Cooper finally set to sign for new club after Leeds departure
But he was largely a bit-part player during his final season at Leeds under Daniel Farke, though the German constantly acknowledged how much he appreciated having a player like Cooper in the squad.
In the same breath, Farke paid similar compliments to Ayling and it saw the right-back depart and now, Cooper has followed suit. That is despite Cooper saying at the Leeds awards he would love to sign on.
Now, Leeds Live report his two-month spell as a free agent is set to come to an end with a move to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia. He will fly to Bulgaria on Tuesday having agreed a two-year contract.
Cooper has been linked with numerous Championship clubs
At one point, some reports even suggested Cooper was training with Derby County – the side that beat Leeds in the 2018-19 Championship play-off semi-finals, the side where there is a rivalry after Spygate.
Cooper was said to be in talks with Blackburn Rovers, but the Scotland international and John Eustace’s side could not agree on terms. Cooper wanted a two-year deal while Blackburn only offered one year.
Watford also showed interest this summer with new manager Tom Cleverley impressing. However, it is a surprise move to CSKA Sofia that has tempted Cooper, who sit second from bottom after five losses in six.
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