The Athletic’s Phil Hay reports that Leeds’ club captain is anticipated to depart the team in West Yorkshire at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Cooper, who is 32 years old and has been a member of Leeds since 2014 after joining from Chesterfield, is the team’s longest-serving player. His most recent contract extension was signed in September 2019, however his five-year contract is nearing its end.
Under Marcelo Bielsa’s leadership, the Scottish international has also led the Whites as captain since 2017, succeeding Liam Bridcutt, and has aided Leeds in earning their much anticipated promotion from the Championship in 2020.
With the exception of loanees who are presently out of the team, Cooper is one of just four players—Stanley Dallas, Patrick Bamford, and Illan Meslier—who had accomplished that accomplishment with Leeds four years ago. At the time, the team also had marginal players like Jamie Shackleton, Ian Poveda, and Pascal Struijk.
The center defender has made 281 appearances for the Whites overall, ranking among Leeds’ top 30 players in terms of appearances all-time. He has scored 11 goals and amassed six more in that time.Daniel Farke has curtailed Cooper’s playing time this season, making the 32-year-old more of a supporting cast member. Rather, Joe and one of Struijk or Ethan Ampadu have established their center-back tandem.