{"id":578130,"date":"2025-11-18T11:11:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T11:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/578130\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T11:11:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T11:11:15","slug":"liam-cooper-speaks-in-first-interview-on-decision-to-sign-for-sheffield-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/578130\/","title":{"rendered":"Liam Cooper speaks in first interview on decision to sign for Sheffield Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liam Cooper speaks in his first interview on the decision to sign for Sheffield Wednesday on a contract until the end of the 2025\/26 season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The experienced 34 year old Scottish centre-back spoke of his delight at finally completing the move, undeterred by the club\u2019s recent off-field turmoil, and touched on the much happier atmosphere now, praising the fans\u2019 protests that helped force change.<\/p>\n

The former Leeds captain says he is looking to bring leadership to a young squad, maintain high standards, and help the team push up the Championship table.<\/p>\n

Cooper feels physically strong after training alone, is eager to integrate quickly, and would love to be involved in Sunday\u2019s Steel City derby against Sheffield United.<\/p>\n

He described joining Wednesday as a \u201ctransition he wanted to be part of\u201d and repeatedly said he \u201ccan\u2019t wait to get going and have a right good go\u201d at Hillsborough.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udcdd We\u2019re delighted to welcome Liam Cooper to the Owls!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\ud83d\udcac \u201cLet\u2019s have a right good go..!\u201d pic.twitter.com\/cwhZXrbNs8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

CLUB STATEMENT:<\/p>\n

The Owls have signed experienced defender Liam Cooper on a contract until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.<\/p>\n

The centre back moves to S6 with over 400 career appearances under his belt, including international experience with Scotland.<\/p>\n

Cooper began his career with hometown club Hull and spent time on loan with Carlisle, Huddersfield and Chesterfield as a young player.<\/p>\n

He later made the permanent switch to the Spireites, where he helped the club win the League Two title, earning promotion to League One in 2013\/14.<\/p>\n

A big move to Leeds followed in the summer, and Cooper would spend a productive decade at Elland Road.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old was made captain of the club and went on to lift the Championship trophy as the Whites earned a place in the Premier League in 2019\/20.<\/p>\n

The defender spent three years in the top flight and was part of Scotland\u2019s 2020 and 2024 European Championship squads.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Cooper moved across the continent to Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia.<\/p>\n

After a short time as a free agent, he now signs a deal with the Owls until the summer of 2026.<\/p>\n

Cooper will wear squad number 16 at Hillsborough.<\/p>\n

Welcome to Wednesday, Liam!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m delighted. I think a few have just spoke there. It\u2019s been the world\u2019s worst kept secret, but no, delighted to be here and just ready to get going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve managed to meet a few of the lads this morning, done the medicals, so just excited to get going and get up to speed and get playing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually met, came to the training ground a couple of months ago now and met Henrik. Obviously at that moment there was a lot of restrictions in place on the previous owner and that couldn\u2019t be done, but we stayed in contact.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenrik and myself sort of relayed to each other how much we wanted to work together and nothing\u2019s come along in the meantime and I\u2019m quite glad for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here today and it\u2019s been sorted and just delighted and looking forward to getting going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cIt\u2019s fair to say you\u2019ll have been aware of the kind of situation off the field with the club. At no point did that deter you from wanting to be here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cNo, not at all. I know it\u2019s going to be a big transition, but a transition that I wanted to be part of.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust getting a vibe from the different staff and different players. They\u2019re in a great situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe club seems a much happier place than when I was here two months ago, so that was refreshing to see and I know I keep saying it, but just delighted to be here and get going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to get up to speed quickly. I believe I can do that. I\u2019ve been ticking over on my own and away from here and hopefully I can hit the ground running.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou mentioned that you spoke to Henrik when you first came here. What\u2019s he said to you and how much of a part did he play in you coming here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cObviously, I can say it now, but we had a conversation a couple of years ago when Leeds was playing at Hillsborough. It sort of stems from there. He seemed a really nice guy then.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter speaking with Baz and Palms and different people who have been around the club, they\u2019ve said what such a good guy he is and that\u2019s important to me.<\/p>\n

\u201cA manager who sees it from both sides and who is approachable and someone who can really get the best out of the team. I think Henrik\u2019s done that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the team\u2019s been very on it from the start of the season and we\u2019ve just got to keep going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure the club\u2019s under no illusions how difficult it\u2019s going to be, but anything is possible and now is a big transition.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to see the fans back in, special mention to the fans because to come together and do what\u2019s right for your club in such a way, in doing what you did with the protests and things like that, that shows the true power of a club.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing together like that was amazing and great to see and we\u2019re going to need them right up to the end of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know they\u2019ll be with us and hopefully we can get a few more points on the board and make a very good go of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou\u2019re a very experienced player and a leader, fair to say, from what you\u2019ve been like in your career. How important is that for you coming into this dressing room? It is quite a young dressing room and you\u2019re going to bring that leadership, it\u2019s fair to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cYes, I hope so. I hope I can do that. I\u2019ve done that at clubs before. It\u2019s something I take very proudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the young boys, I\u2019d like to think I\u2019ve seen a lot in the game over the years and just be a shoulder, try and set good examples and keep the standards high.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can\u2019t maintain standards, you\u2019ve got no chance. It\u2019s about maintaining those standards and having fun while we\u2019re doing it as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in such a fortunate position where we\u2019re playing in the best sport in the world and I think at times you forget to enjoy it and that\u2019s one of the biggest parts of the game also.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cWe know the challenges that are ahead of us this season and you\u2019re here until the end of the season. What have you made of the games that we\u2019ve played so far and what do you think is achievable with this squad this season?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cAnything\u2019s achievable, don\u2019t get me wrong. It\u2019s a hard battle but I think bad things have got to happen before you can change that.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we know, we\u2019re in a big transition. A special mention to the lads as well, to the players. They could have downed tools at any given moment and they\u2019ve not done that and they\u2019ve stood by the team, stood by the supporters and I think you see that when the fans come back, how much they get behind the team for the way they\u2019ve carried themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just goes hand-in-hand and we\u2019re going to need plenty more of that over the coming months and I just cannot wait to get going. I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cFirst training session today so I\u2019ll get through that and let\u2019s have a right good go. You mentioned the lads, anybody you know from times gone by?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cObviously Baz and Palms are the main ones from the times away with the national team. Again, great lads. I think the club\u2019s lucky to have them both.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been here such a long time and they represent everything that\u2019s good about Sheffield Wednesday so I\u2019ll be dipping into their knowledge of the club and hopefully we can hit the ground running, get a few points on the board like I said and make a real good go of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou mentioned to us off-camera quite a unique situation you\u2019ve got with Bailey Cadamarteri as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cYes, I\u2019m sure his dad Danny won\u2019t be too proud of this but I actually played with Danny a few years ago when I was a young pup and 18 years of age myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo yes, that\u2019s quite a strange scenario but again, an amazing young talent from an amazing family and hopefully we can nurture him and push in the right way again to keep his standards.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he does and it\u2019s about maintaining that and he can go on to have an amazing career and hopefully at Sheffield Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou mentioned the work that you\u2019ve been doing to keep yourself available before coming here. Where are you in terms of how you\u2019re feeling and are you ready to hit the ground running?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cNo, I feel really good. It\u2019s hard at times being a free agent and having to train on your own. I\u2019ve been very lucky to work in a guy back home called Steve Barrett. Special shout out to him because he\u2019s kept me going. So yes, I feel in a good place. I\u2019m strong, physically strong.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, I lack that match minutes which is what everybody needs but I\u2019m sure I\u2019ve spoke to the head of performance etc at the club and we have a plan in place to build me up and integrate me back into first team training and the sooner the better for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, I\u2019m raring to go. I know we do have to listen to the stats at times but I\u2019m sure any player will tell you in this situation all they want to do is be straight in.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo yes, we\u2019ll listen to those but a plan will be in place and the sooner the better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou\u2019ve joined Joe in a big week as well. Obviously, we\u2019ve got the Steel City derby on Sunday. A bit of a buzz around the place. Good time to be joining the club?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cYes, definitely. I\u2019ve already had the 90th minute winner shouts already so I will see. I don\u2019t know if that game might come too soon. I\u2019m not sure yet. It depends what the plan is.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut yes, what a game to come into. I\u2019d love to be a part of it. I know it means so much to the people of this city.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully, we can go out there and get a positive result and turn the city blue and white.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou\u2019ll have played at Hillsborough a few times, no doubt. What\u2019s your experience been like there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cAlways a difficult place to come. I know from experience how hard it is for opposition teams and that\u2019s solely because of the atmosphere and the heritage of the stadium. I\u2019ve always found it difficult here. I\u2019ve always had good games here.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said at the start, we\u2019re going to need them from the very get-go. We\u2019re in a transition period now but we all need to come together and get that connection between the team and the city again and have a very good go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interviewer<\/strong>: \u201cYou mentioned the fans and they\u2019re obviously very excited that you\u2019ve joined us as well. How much are you looking forward to being at Hillsborough as a home player in front of that support?\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam<\/strong>: \u201cHonestly, I can\u2019t wait. I think you can tell by my face and my reaction. It\u2019s a special stadium, one of the old ones which really resonates well with myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, that heritage and that history and I\u2019m just excited to get out there and finally be a home player and not be taking abuse from the stands.\u201d<\/p>\n

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