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.