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Larry Nance Jr says he was ‘really disappointed’ when one player left Leeds United

Charles Jones

Fri 25 April 2025 12:45, UK

Leeds United are back in the big time.

Leeds have been promoted back to the Premier League, and there should be some exciting times ahead for the Yorkshire club.

Leeds have already been linked with some new signings as we head into the summer. Tomas Soucek has been linked to Leeds, while Paul Merson thinks Leeds should go for Raheem Sterling.

However, as exciting as the future is, we mustn’t forget the past and the players who have helped Leeds get to this point.

Indeed, while the current crop of players have helped Leeds get over the line, the past crop of stars who emerged under Marcelo Bielsa laid the foundations for this current success.

Liam Cooper was so important to Leeds for such a long time, and speaking on the Inside Elland Road Podcast, Leeds shareholder, Larry Nance Jr has been discussing Cooper and his legacy at Elland Road.

• READ MORE: Leeds interested in hiring former Arsenal player Cesc Fabregas to replace Daniel Farke as manager

Larry Nance Jr was disappointed Liam Cooper left Leeds

Nance Jr discussed Cooper and his Leeds legacy.

The NBA star turned Leeds investor says that he was really disappointed when Cooper left Leeds, claiming that he’ll always be his favourite player.

“I would say, again, I’m a little, I’m 32. So like my, like I really, I was really disappointed when, when, when Coops left, he was my favourite, still is, always will be, that dude, you know, talk about sides for itself, that dude sacrificed his ACL to score a header. That is a captain,” Nance Jr said.

“That is a leader. I love that dude. He’s like, there will be a day he’ll, you know, his jersey, his jersey will be in my basement for sure.

“I think he’s, that’s a true winner, in my opinion. Pat Bamford, same age, love the guy. I just want well for him, you know, for all he’s done and I just want really well for him.”

Liam Cooper stats for Leeds

Liam Cooper is a modern day Leeds legend.

Cooper was often criticised, sometimes unfairly, when he was at Leeds, but regardless of his performances, he always gave his all for the team and he was always valued by his managers.

You could always rely on Cooper to put his heart on his sleeve for his team, that’s for sure.

Leeds actually offered Cooper a chance to stay at the club before he left, but the defender opted to move on at the start of this season.

Cooper left behind a hell of a legacy at Elland Road, and the stats show why he is considered a modern day great.

284 games for Leeds is a mammoth total for a side that has gone through so many changes over the past decade, and, as a promotion-winning captain, Cooper will live long in the memory at Elland Road.

Leeds will be back in the Premier League next season, and nobody will be happier to see the club succeeding than their former captain.