Leeds legend to join Sheffield Wednesday ‘early next week’
Sheffield Wednesday are finally able to add free agents to their squad and look set to make a vital signing ahead of their next Championship clash.
Sheffield Wednesday’s disheartening summer saw a number of players leave for pastures new, while existing members of staff went three months without being paid due to controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri’s shortfalls.
Chansiri wanted over £100million from a prospective buyer to sell the club, but neither a takeover nor sale was able to happen as second-tier Wednesday were placed under further embargoes relating to more unpaid wages to players and staff.
The end of his time at the club was finally reached last month as Wednesday were placed into administration and hit with an automatic 12-point deduction by the EFL.
Owls’ supporters and neutrals alike have celebrated Chansiri’s departure despite relegation looming, and following his exit, the club now look to be able to add fresh blood into Henrik Pedersen’s struggling squad.
Free agent Liam Cooper to join Wednesday early next week
Liam Cooper was linked with a move to Wednesday in the summer as they waited for the EFL to allow them to sign free agents.
Loan deals were sanctioned as Harry Amass joined the club from Man United, but they have had to wait until now to be granted permission to add those free agents to Pedersen’s squad by the EFL.
Now, BBC Radio Sheffield journalist Andy Giddings has revealed, via X, that former Leeds captain Cooper is set to be the first of the Owls’ new arrivals ‘early next week’ now that he is able to be signed up officially.
Cooper will add vital experience and depth to Wednesday’s current squad
Wednesday have not done terribly this season given their circumstances, with eight points accrued from 15 games so far this season which is just two less than stacked rivals Sheffield United.
Cooper is currently a free agent after leaving Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia in July, who he spent a year with and made 27 appearances in all competitions.
Leeds released Cooper in 2024 after he spent 10 years at the club and made 284 appearances while captaining them to promotion to the Premier League in 2020.
Now 34-years-old, his experience of playing in the top-flight and the 207 second-tier games he has under his belt are set to come in very handy for the Owls this season.
It remains to be seen whether he signs a longer-term deal or just something for this season, but Wednesday fans will be expecting him to play a big part in their side regardless considering what he brings to the table.