“He rejected an approach from Saudi Arabia and instead wants to sign a new contract at Elland Road”- Phil Hay says Leeds United star showed Ultimate commitment to club by rejecting Saudi transfer in favour of new deal at Elland Road

Liam Cooper rejected a move away from Leeds to Saudi Arabia before he suffered a foot injury in the opening game of the season, reports Phil Hay.

Writing in an article for The Athletic (2 September), the journalist reports that the skipper turned down a move to the Middle East in return for talks over a new deal at Elland Road.

Cooper was offered an “eye-watering” deal to move, but he suffered an injury which means he hasn’t played since the start of August and it was believed that was why the deal fell through.

“Only Liam Cooper really bucked the trend by saying no to a Saudi Arabian approach in the interests of discussing a new deal at Elland Road,” he wrote.

There’s a reason why this man wears the armband at Elland Road and it’s because he understands what it means to wear the shirt.

Every time Cooper steps on the pitch he fights for the badge and gives his all, leading by example each and every time. So when news emerged that he was wanted by the Saudi empire, nobody thought he would leave.

But nobody thought Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Cristiano Ronaldo would be playing there either and they are, while even Jordan Henderson was tempted by their unlimited wealth.

Considering the stage of his career nobody would have batted an eyelid if he’d taken the money rather than played in the Championship, but Cooper is loved by the fans because he puts this club first.

His return to fitness will be huge for the defence and for Daniel Farke hopefully not too long after the international break, and it’s fantastic to know that he’s here by choice and not through circumstance.