Liam Cooper agrees deal in principle to quit Leeds United for good

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has agreed a deal to quit Elland Road and head to Saudi Arabia, according to Saudi Arabian reporter Abu Faisal.

The newspaper journalist, who’s written for Al-Nadwa and Al-Riyadh, tweeted on 3 August that the Scotland international has “agreed in principle” to join Al-Qadisiyah this summer.

talkSPORT reported on 3 August that the 31-year-old had been offered a lucrative contract by the Saudi side, who are managed by former Leeds forward Robbie Fowler, and it now appears as though he has accepted the deal.

Tough one to take

This latest development will be a really tough one to take for all those associated with Leeds as the club’s captain looks to be closing in on a move away from West Yorkshire.

There had been talk that an offer was on the table from a Saudi club, with Faisal reporting that Al-Qadisiyah see the signing of Cooper as a “strong deal” to strengthen their backline.

Although it’s unlikely the centre-back has been offered anywhere near as much money as some of the other players that have headed to the Middle East this summer, it will probably still be an awful lot more than he is currently earning.

It will be disappointing for fans to hear that he is jumping ship after all the noise coming out of the back end of last season was that he was determined to help the club get back up to the Premier League.

But with the defender approaching the latter years of his career, you can see why he would be tempted to secure a lucrative contract that will set him up for when his career does come to an end.

In other Leeds United news, a former Whites coach has question the club’s promotion hopes next season.