Michael Cooper (footballer) explained

Michael Cooper
Full Name:Michael John Cooper[1]
Birth Date:8 October 1999
Birth Place:Exeter, England
Height:6feet[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Sheffield United
Clubnumber:1
Youthyears1:2009–2017
Youthclubs1:Plymouth Argyle
Years1:2017–2024
Clubs1:Plymouth Argyle
Caps1:151
Goals1:0
Club-Update:08:36, 15 Aug 2024 (UTC)
Years2:2024-
Clubs2:Sheffield United
Caps2:0
Goals2:0

Michael John Cooper (born 8 October 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Sheffield United.

Career

Michael Cooper made his professional debut for Plymouth Argyle in a League One game away to Blackburn Rovers aged 18 years and 6 days old. With starting goalkeeper Kyle Letheren going off injured, Cooper came on for the second half, as the game finished 1–1.[3] [4] [5] He was also a key member of the Plymouth Argyle Youth Team who reached the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup, making crucial saves in victories over Manchester City and Burnley in 3rd and 4th rounds of the competition.

On 17 December 2019, Cooper signed a new long-term deal at Plymouth Argyle, until the end of the 2021–22 season.[6]

On 5 September 2020, Cooper started in the first match of the Argyle season, playing Queens Park Rangers in the first round of the EFL Cup. Argyle won 3–2 after a spectacular performance from Cooper. Cooper held onto the starting position for the 2020–21 season.

In April 2021, Cooper signed a new long-term deal with Argyle, signing on until 2024.[7] He was also voted Young Player of the Season 2020–21 by Plymouth Argyle supporters,[8] coming second in the senior vote to squad Vice-Captain, Joe Edwards.

The following season he received the EFL League One Golden Glove (jointly with Wycombe's David Stockdale) for keeping the most clean sheets, having kept 18 clean sheets across 46 league games.[9] He was also named as Plymouth's Player of the Season and in the EFL League One Team of the Year.[10]

On August 15, 2024, Cooper joined Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.[11]

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Plymouth Argyle2017–18League One1000000010
2018–19League One1000001020
2019–20League Two0000202040
2020–21League One460402000520
2021–22League One460501000520
2022–23League One290101000310
2023–24Championship190000000190
Total151010060301700
Sheffield United2024-25Championship0000000000
Career total151010060301700

Honours

Plymouth Argyle

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2019 . English Football League . 13 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Michael Cooper . Plymouth Argyle F.C. . 30 July 2022.
  3. Web site: Who is Michael Cooper and why is he regarded as one of England's young stars?. Stuart. James. 18 October 2017. PlymouthLive. 5 December 2020.
  4. Web site: Blackburn Rovers 1 Plymouth Argyle 1 . . 17 October 2017 . 17 October 2017.
  5. News: 'Brilliant' debut for Argyle's Cooper. BBC Sport . 5 December 2020.
  6. Web site: Coops for Keeps . 5 December 2020 . Plymouth Argyle.
  7. Web site: Cooper Signs New Long-Term Deal . 1 May 2021 . Plymouth Argyle.
  8. Web site: 20/21 Player of the Season Revealed . 1 May 2021 . Plymouth Argyle.
  9. Web site: Wanderers . Wycombe . Stocko claims Golden Glove trophy . 2022-05-02 . Wycombe Wanderers. 30 April 2022 .
  10. Web site: Cooper wins Player of the Season vote Plymouth Argyle - PAFC . 2022-05-02 . Plymouth Argyle .
  11. Web site: FC . Sheffield United . 2024-08-15 . 'Keeper arrives . 2024-08-15 . Sheffield United FC.
  12. News: 7 May 2023 . Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title . BBC Sport . 4 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Pilnick . Brent . 2 April 2023 . Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy . 4 August 2023 . BBC Sport.
  14. Web site: Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced . 2022-05-02 . English Football League.
  15. Web site: 23 April 2023 . EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed . 24 April 2023 . English Football League.