Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has claimed he feels ‘like a proud father’ after Kalvin Phillips sealed his move to Manchester City. Phillips has put pen-to-paper on a six-year-deal at the Etihad to bring an end to his long stay at his boyhood club.
The 26-year-old and Cooper have played alongside each other since 2014, with the Scotland international joining that summer from Chesterfield and Phillips making his debut for the club a few months earlier in a 4-3 defeat at Wolves in March. The duo – both Leeds supporters – have been through plenty of ups and downs during their time on the pitch alongside each other.
They were both there during Leeds’ difficult years in the Championship when the club were troubled by ownership problems and could not escape the mediocrity of mid-table. However, Cooper and Phillips both played key roles in bringing Leeds back to the Premier League as they contributed heavily to the Championship title winning campaign.
READ MORE: ' No words' - Leeds United's emotional Kalvin Phillips tribute as he seals Man City move
They have also grown close with each off the field, with Phillips in attendance at Cooper’s wedding last month, with several other members of the Leeds squad past and present. And after Phillips’ move to City was confirmed earlier this morning, Cooper sent a heart-warming message via his Twitter account.
He said: “Like a proud Father. You have earned this chance and I have no doubt you will deliver like you always did for us. An unbelievable player but I’m more proud of the man you have become! Never change mate. Look after him.”
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