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CSKA Sofia amuse fans with unique way of unveiling new signing Liam Cooper from Leeds

Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia amuse fans with the unique way of unveiling their new signing Liam Cooper from Leeds United this week.

Cooper said his goodbyes to the Whites after ten years at the club, seven of them as captain, and is now joining CSKA Sofia on a two-year deal.

He made 263 league appearances and helped them to promotion to the Premier League in 2020.

The 33-year-old defender had been a free agent after his deal with Leeds expired at the end of June.

Now he, his new club CSKA Sofia, Leeds and their CEO have issued a statement… but first, we really have to look at how he was unveiled… check out the video below!

CSKA STATEMENT:

Today, the Scottish centre-back signed his contract with the army club and immediately joined the training of Aleksander Tomasz’s team.

The attraction of a proven name like Liam Cooper is further proof of the authority of the CSKA brand on the international stage. Over the past decade, Cooper has become one of the most influential figures at Leeds United, reaching the captain’s armband and establishing himself as the undisputed leader in the Yorkshire club’s dressing room. Since 2019, the defender has also made an impressive 19 appearances for the Scottish national team.

Liam Cooper was born on 30 August 1991. He started his career at Hull City and at the age of 16 he made his debut for the men’s team in a League Cup match against Swansea. His first minutes in the English Premier League came on 26 September 2009 against Liverpool at Anfield.

Between 2011 and 2013, he played successively on loan at Carlisle, Huddersfield and Chesterfield before the latter club finally bought his rights. With Chesterfield, Cooper achieved promotion to League One and was named the club’s player of the year.

His excellent performances attracted the attention of Leeds United, with whose team he managed to make a brilliant career. Already in his first season, Cooper became the captain of the team and took part in 31 matches, and in the next two seasons he added 59 appearances in all tournaments. His true rise to legendary status at Elland Road began after the arrival of Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa at the club. In the first campaign, Leeds remained a hair’s breadth from promotion to the elite of English football, but Cooper established himself as an indisputable factor in the composition and a guarantor of future successes. They are not late, and already in the 2019/2020 season, Leeds triumphantly returns to the Premier League, and Cooper contributes with 40 appearances and 2 goals. Meanwhile, Liam has also established himself in the Scottish national team, helping the Bagpipers reach two consecutive European finals.

In 2020, Cooper fulfilled his childhood dream of captaining Leeds in a Premier League match – the memorable moment coming in a home win over Fulham – and went on to record a further 24 top-flight appearances by the end of the season. Until the summer of 2024, Liam continues to be the leading factor in Leeds’ defense and a true inspiration to the young players at the club. In total, he made 262 appearances and 11 goals in his 10 seasons for the Yorkshiremen.

As well as his performances on the pitch, Liam Cooper leaves a significant legacy at Leeds United with his involvement in various social causes and initiatives that make him one of the club’s fans’ favorite football heroes.

Welcome to CSKA!

We wish Liam Cooper the best of luck with the red shirt!

Born: 30/08/1991
Height: 188 cm
Position: Central defender

LEEDS STATEMENT:

Leeds United can confirm Liam Cooper has left the club to take up an opportunity overseas, following the expiration of his contract.

The 33-year-old joined the Whites in 2014 and became a hugely popular and influential member of the squad, both on and off the pitch in that time.

Cooper began his long-standing association with the club after joining from Chesterfield, with Leeds playing in the Sky Bet Championship.

Just three days after signing for the Whites, Cooper made the first of his 284 appearances for his boyhood club, a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. A few months into that season, he would receive the armband, taking over the captaincy of the team.

A first goal for the Whites would come on home turf against Blackpool, in the form of a memorable left-footed half-volley from the edge of the box, to set the side on the way to winning three points.

That season saw Cooper make 31 appearances, which would then be backed up with 59 appearances in all competitions across the next two seasons.

A mid-table finish for the club in the 2017/18 season allowed the skipper to captain the side a further 32 times, netting another memorable goal, this time at home to Brentford by cleverly guiding home a header in a 1-0 win.

The 2018/19 campaign under then head coach Marcelo Bielsa and Cooper’s captaincy was the start of a new era at Elland Road. Although the season would ultimately end in Play-Off heartbreak, his 39 appearances and three goals saw the club gain momentum and belief of a return to the Premier League.

And then, in 2019/20, that return was completed, in memorable and spectacular style as the captain went up to lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy.

A total of 93 points from 46 games, Leeds were 10 points clear of second place and returned to the Premier League. Cooper made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice, away at Brentford and at home to Stoke City.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant that the iconic trophy was lifted without fans. However, Cooper’s love of Leeds as a city and for the people saw our captain keep in contact with regular online meetings and messages to supporters throughout many tough months.

His commitment to off-field activities saw the captain help our community by providing over 7,000 meals for children across the region during half-terms, whilst also providing smiles and enjoyment for children with his LC6 football academy.

Back on the pitch but away from the club, Cooper would also receive international recognition. He had made his commitment to Scotland in 2008 at Under-17 level, before then receiving a first senior call up in 2016.

He would be a regular for the Tartan Army from 2020 onwards, helping his nation to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, before more recently, playing his part in the team making a second successive Euros finals this summer in Germany.

After promotion, Cooper would return to action for the Whites, achieving a childhood dream of captaining Leeds in the Premier League. His first time doing so for the side was in a home victory over Fulham.

He would go on to make 25 league appearances as the Whites finished ninth in a memorable first year back in the top-flight, before going on to then play for Scotland against the Czech Republic that summer in the European Championships.

Over the next two seasons, the centre-half would make 42 appearances for the club in the top-tier of English football.

In his 10th and final campaign for the club, in the opening day curtain raiser against Cardiff City, Cooper’s well-timed header handed Leeds a lifeline as the Whites eventually fought back to draw at Elland Road.

His off-field and on-field experience helped Daniel Farke to integrate and promote youth into the starting line-up at the club, with Cooper always on hand to offer wise words and tactical know-how.

The Scotland international made a further 18 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable cameo off the bench in United’s Play-Off semi-final success over Norwich City.

A true Leeds United legend, Cooper now departs with the love and best wishes for all those who had the pleasure of working with him, alongside him, supporting him and cheering his name.

He helped transform the fortunes and culture of the club and had a monumental impact.

Liam and his family will always be welcome back at Elland Road, he will go down in history as one of the club’s greatest ever captains.

Thank you for everything, skip.

Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear paid tribute to Liam Cooper, after the defender agreed to move overseas following the expiration of his contract, ending his association with the Whites which stretched back to August 2014:

He said: “Coops’ 10 years of service to Leeds United is made more special as we live in an age where players, sadly, seldom make long term commitments to one club.

“His leadership, as a warrior on the pitch and as an ambassador off it, has been exemplary and core to the foundations which have seen the club enjoy its most successful period for two decades.

“Whilst he will rightly be remembered for captaining the side to a Premier League return after a 16 year absence, for me, it was his leadership and selflessness to help steer the club through the financial turmoil of the pandemic, which will also give him a unique place in the club’s history.

“It goes without saying, that Elland Road will always be his home.”

Liam Cooper’s message

To the best in the land. After 10 years, 7 as your captain, it’s time to say goodbye.

When I arrived at LUFC I had one ambition and that was to leave the shirt in a better position than when I arrived. I do believe I have done that, with the help and support of some incredible people.

Firstly I have to thank Marcelo and his staff. My relationship with Marcelo is well documented, he made me a better player, a better leader and a better man. I would like to thank all of the managers I have worked with in the past decade but Marcelo’s influence on me and the Club in general was beyond anything I can put into words.

l also need to thank all of the coaches, physios and backroom staff past and present, across the first team and academy at Thorp Arch, for everything they have done for me. Many of these people have become more than colleagues over the years. These people help drive & maintain the standards behind the scenes and I will miss them all greatly, you all know who you are.

During my time I have played with so many players, far too many to mention by name, but I do need to give a special mention a fair few. Bill, Klichy, Adam, Patrick, and DJ who I shared amazing moments with and now unbelievable friendships. The 2020 promotion team was probably the best team I have ever been involved with, a team built on pure hard work and humility. The weight of the shirt is very heavy, but we put side before self and came together to achieve something special with memories that will last forever.

I also have to mention one man in particular who has been by my side through everything, Stu. The bond between us lives beyond football and it was an honour to share some of the best days of my career together with him. He showed me the way all too many times and I’ll never forget that.

And to the fans, yes you lunatics and the heart beat of our great club. Your unwavering support for myself and the boys meant everything. You will never know how much you drive the players on, my only sadness looking back is not getting to lift that title at Elland Road in front of you.

I leave the Club proud of what we achieved together, I was never perfect, but throughout my time I tried to represent you and the club with dignity and modesty at all times. I’ve met some truly inspiring individuals in the community over the last 10 years from all walks of life. I appreciate each and every one of you, for making me a better person and proving far and wide that some things are more important than football.

As I move on to the next chapter of my career I will look back and be very proud but also hungry for more. Stay loud and stay proud. I’ll see you in the terraces.

Good luck to Daniel, his staff and Ethan and the boys for the rest of the season. When that train starts it’s difficult to stop.

On behalf of myself and family – Thank you all for everything, memories we will cherish forever.

Marching on Together

As mentioned, CSKA Sofia amuse fans with the unique way of unveiling new signing Liam Cooper from Leeds…

@darramcg: I actually really like it

@MellyMaestro: Nah, that’s hilarious 😂 Although I’m a bit disappointed he didn’t get out of the car, look right into the camera and say “Ey up, it’s Cooper”.

@jemccudden: Please please please can we sign someone called Luigo Lamborghini!

@Godwin1Carl: Oh god, their fans are being set right up 🥴

@BarneyLUFC21: The Bulgarian Job……

@davehudson1962: Does he get to keep the car? 😁

@Shortieyates04: I dread to think how they’d announce a decent signing 😭

@geoffhanned: Quality that is. 🙌

@JordyP1993: Well that’s certainly something isn’t it.

@wayneleedsfan: Would have been better if he’d got out of car at end and gone “super dooper Liam cooper” 😂

@hallsi1987: Thats incredible. Best I’ve ever seen. 🫡 all the best skip @LiamCooper__

@danny_riley1: Hes only got one gear

@Lister2011: Here to switch gears 😂

@stuart53374157: At least it’s better than the send off Leeds gave him. Go coops.💛💙💛

@BGrockihif1: Ngl, that’s a brilliant announcement

@CrumleyDecky: Hahaha quality

@djwpilgrim: Now that is funny 😂 😂

@WitlessWolrab: I remember when we used to do stuff like this, then we fell in line with all of the other boring, corporate sterile nonsense

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