How likely Sheffield Wednesday are of striking deal to sign ex-Leeds United star | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are hopeful to sign two free agents in the short term, and one of them is a former title-winning captain

Sheffield Wednesday have been given the all clear to bring in a couple of free agents, and former Leeds United captain Liam Cooper is one of the names who is linked.

According to a report from the Sheffield Star, the Owls have had some of their transfer restrictions relieved, and they will be allowed to sign no more than two players on free transfers, with a wage cap restriction likely to be in place.

This is due to their "vastly improved cashflow", which the Wednesday administrators presented to the EFL in a board meeting on Thursday (November 13), with player welfare ahead of a busy winter period also being an important factor in the decision, too.

There were reports earlier this month linking Cooper to the Hillsborough-based club, and now that the go-ahead has been given by the EFL, it may not be long until the former Championship-winning captain is back in the second tier.

Liam Cooper close to Championship return with Sheffield Wednesday

Seemingly, the few weeks between the links first surfacing between Cooper and Sheffield Wednesday and the restriction being lifted haven't cooled any interest, as the Sheffield Star believe that a deal between the two parties "could be done relatively swiftly."

The Scottish centre-back has been without a club since the end of July, when he mutually agreed to depart Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia less than a year into his contract there.

The 34-year-old has spent the majority of his career around Yorkshire-based clubs, coming through the academy at hometown club Hull City, spending a period on loan at Huddersfield Town in the infancy of his career, and more recently spending a decade at Leeds United.

After periods in East and West Yorkshire, Cooper is now close to a move to South Yorkshire, as strengthening the defence is reportedly a key priority for the Owls currently.

Liam Cooper may be what Sheffield Wednesday need ahead of a tough period

220 of Cooper's 284 appearances at Elland Road came with the captain's armband, so with Wednesday's threadbare squad, and a bench made up of young up-and-comers from the academy, the 34-year-old's experience and leadership ticks all the boxes that Henrik Pedersen will be looking for when filling the two new spaces in the dressing room.

Additionally, the 19-time Scottish international has experience of playing at the top end of the Championship for one of the most exciting teams the second tier has seen in recent history at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa.

Whilst Wednesday doesn't have title-winning aspirations — far from them — Cooper's experience in those dressing rooms, and being a leading voice in them, will only do good for a squad who may be feeling a bit devoid of belief if bad results come thick and fast during the Christmas period.

Ultimately, Wednesday just need personnel, and whilst they'll be thinking carefully over who to bring in to fill the two free agent gaps which have opened up, there'll be a relief to see anyone senior come through the door, regardless of ability.