Chesterfield bring in League One player George Cooper to become the National League club’s 7th summer signing ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who can play on the left and centrally, links up with the Spireites after leaving the Pilgrims by mutual consent on Monday.
He started his career at Crewe Alexandra, having come through their academy. Then in January 2018, he signed for Peterborough United on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.
On the 29th of August 2019, Cooper joined then-League Two side Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan deal and played the majority of the season at left wing-back, and finished the season with a recorded 12 assists, as Argyle were promoted to League One.
Upon his return to the Posh, Cooper was transfer-listed and left out of Posh’s ‘Salary Cap Squad’, along with George Boyd, Jason Naismith and Louis Reed Then on the 2nd of September 2020, Cooper re-joined Argyle, this time permanently, for an undisclosed fee. He signed a three-year contract.
Cooper’s move comes with Branden Horton, Bailey Clements, Ryheem Sheckleford, Joe Cook, Darren Oldaker and Michael Gyasi penning deals with the Spireites this summer.
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗖, 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 💙
✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of George Cooper from Plymouth Argyle!
Details here ⬇️https://t.co/yU5USGbDsc#Spireites pic.twitter.com/TTHhYovGF1
— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) June 27, 2022
CHESTERFIELD STATEMENT:
The Spireites have today agreed the signing of George Cooper, subject to FA and National League approval.
The winger is set to join on July 1 after leaving Plymouth Argyle, where he has been since 2019.
Cooper said: “I’m very excited for the season coming. I’ve not had the best last couple of years so I’m excited to get going in pre-season.
“I want to get a lot of games under my belt and get the club back to where it should be. I spoke to the manager a few times and he’s just got to get the best out of me.
“This is perfect for me right now to be here with the manager and with the club.”
The 25-year-old started his career with Crewe Alexandra, making his way through the academy and into the first team.
Cooper amassed close to 150 appearances and scored 15 goals as he became a fans’ favourite at Gresty Road.
He moved to Peterborough United in 2018 for an undisclosed fee, getting another taste of League One football.
Cooper moved on loan to Plymouth in August 2019, scoring three times and recording 12 assists as they won promotion to League One.
The seventh signing of the summer for Chesterfield signed permanently at Argyle the following year.
PLYMOUTH STATEMENT
George Cooper has left Argyle by mutual consent.
The left-sided player joined the Pilgrims on loan from Peterborough United during the 19/20 season, and played a crucial role at left wing-back as the Greens secured promotion from Sky Bet League Two at the first time of asking under Ryan Lowe and Steven Schumacher – scoring twice in what turned out to be the final game of a Covid-19 curtailed season, a 3-0 victory over Macclesfield Town.
Such was the importance of Cooper’s contribution, which included 12 assists, the Greens moved to make the transfer permanent in the summer of 2020, and Cooper was a regular starter during the first half of the campaign, before picking up a serious injury in a 2-1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra in December of that year.
A challenging spate of injury setbacks limited Cooper to just three appearances last season, one of them a start – the 2-1 Emirates FA Cup victory at Rochdale in December 2021. At the end of the 21/22 campaign, Cooper and Argyle manager Steven Schumacher came to an agreement to allow Cooper to find a new club to reignite his promising career.
Schumacher said: “I wish George all the best in his next football challenge.
“I will fondly remember all of his assists in the 2019/20 promotion season, where if it hadn’t have been for his free kick goal against Morecambe when the game was really tight, or his long range pass that set Ryan Hardie off against Macclesfield, then the points per game ratio could have been different.
“Over the last two seasons it’s been hard for George getting over a number of injuries. We both felt that a new challenge was best for him, and I’m sure he is going to get back to his best again soon.”
Here’s what to expect from our newest acquisition, George Cooper…#Spireites pic.twitter.com/PgYFfAjdwk
— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) June 27, 2022
SEE MORE: Woking tipped to win promotion after signing FA Cup hero and experienced EFL players
Fans reacted as Chesterfield bring in a League One player to become the club’s 7th summer signing…
@t_wxbster: HMS piss the league
@tomhillcfc: Perfect balance of National League proven players, EFL players with experience, and young and hungry players from lower levels coming in. This is what we needed and asked for and shows the club know what they are doing. I sense promotion
@Captain83985622: Good signing for you boys.
@argyle_fan: When we were promoted from Lge 2 he was the assist king from LWB, not that great defensively though. Has been plagued with injuries for the last 2 seasons, not helped by many visits to Plymouth nightclubs- the same was said about him by Peterboro fans. Good player when fit.
@Danbcareer87: Good signing if you can keep him fit
@olpafc_: What a signing for you guys, he’ll tear that league up
@MaccaSouth: Unreal player, like the drink and sniff a bit more than the game though!
@GlynnMoody13: Was the assist king for us when fit and playing. Attacking left sided player so will do well for you guys.
@SpireiteFC: What a signing
@kevburn77: If you can play him without relying on him too much defensively then you’ve got a creative wide player with a wand of a left foot. Good signing for you at that level
@argyletweet: Incredible signing for you lot. Just make sure you bar him from any night clubs in the surrounding vicinity.
@CornishBankie: If you can get him fit and keep him fit then you’ve got a great player who will walk that league for you. Some left foot on the guy. Oh. And keep him away from the night clubs. Good luck George
@manlikemart: On his day, he is superb, but keep him off the coke
@pafcdave2020: Keep him fit and he’ll destroy that league
@OOCChesterfield: Not to be dramatic but we aren’t dropping a single point in 22/23.
@IanManiReniJohn: Nah that’s actually a mad signing
@Cade__Bates: Bloody exciting signing this if we can keep him fit
@gtfcdan147: Hell that’s a signing and half for non league, I’m pleased we’re bloody out of it
@DaviesRudi: Sounds like a top player at this level. Finally have a player who might be able to run past people
@JoeIinton: Unreal for that level
@TimCotton81: Crazy signing for national league
@TomGilbert96: Mad signing for that level, always thought he was a talented player at Posh
@RizzoKieran: Must be on some serious 💰
@Niall_pafc: That’s a huge signing for Chesterfield as long as you can keep him fit
@cravopafc: gonna tear up the clubs in chesterfield
@StevieWotsa: He was fantastic in our promotion season he needs a fresh start. You were a joy to watch in that promotion season thank you George.
@ryandickens_: Ridiculous signing for this level but injuries are a worry. Could go either way this one.
— Tyler💎 (@_TJStone) June 27, 2022
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