The underlying factor which could aid Sheffield Wednesday's pursuit of ex-Leeds United ace | OneFootball

Liam Cooper is poised for an eventual move to Hillsborough after a previous transfer breakdown

It has been a chaotic start to the season in many ways for Sheffield Wednesday, who are positioned at the foot of the Championship table as a result.

However, a mood of optimism and hope now surrounds Hillsborough, with supporters embracing the end of Dejphon Chansiri's 10-year spell as owner as the Owls were placed into administration on October 24th.

Administrators, Begbies Traynor, are now tasked with overseeing matters in the interim, hoping to find a new buyer as soon as possible, albeit EFL regulations mean the earliest possible date for an even-greater outpouring of emotion in S6 is set to be Friday, November 21st.

Manager Henrik Pedersen and his threadbare squad have often been praised for their conduct and performance levels in an extremely uncertain time, and although they find themselves on -4 points due to an automatic 12-point deduction which follows administration, draws against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City have also been met with such feelings.

Whilst finding the next custodian of the Steel City side is ultimately the key priority for Paul Stanley, Julian Pitts and Kris Wigfield, it emerged earlier in the week that they are in talks with the EFL over the ability to sign free agents and, in turn, add some much-needed depth and experience to Pedersen's ranks, having been unable to do so over the summer besides the loan additions of Ethan Horvath and Harry Amass due to several transfer or registration embargoes placed on the club.

As such, it is claimed that 34-year-old centre-back, Liam Cooper, could finally add another Yorkshire club to his respectable CV after a previous breakdown in such possibilities through the aforementioned governing body.

And, whilst there are several factors which make said deal attractive, there is one which is seemingly flying under the radar.

Henrik Pedersen will have first-hand knowledge of Liam Cooper's ability amid Sheffield Wednesday links

Pedersen, of course, was no stranger to English football prior to linking up with ex-Owls boss, Danny Rohl, in October 2023, having enjoyed a successful spell at Bolton Wanderers, as well as a short, but just as successful period at Hull City between 2007 and 2008 under Phil Brown.

During his short stint with the Tigers, in which he featured 21 times across all competitions and scored four times as they reached the top-flight for the first time in their then-104-year history, Cooper was one of the most-talked about homegrown prospects in the club's so-called 'Centre of Excellence'.

In truth, the centre-back, who went on to make just 17 appearances for his hometown club in a five-year period, never made a competitive appearance alongside the Danish forward, who departed in July 2008, a month before Cooper's senior debut in an EFL Cup tie against Swansea City.

However, the 50-year-old is bound to have first-hand recollections of the potential which the defender showcased at the time, and has since gone on to realise in the Championship and Premier League.

Indeed, after helping Chesterfield to promotion from League Two in 2013/14, Cooper moved to Leeds United the following summer, and was made Whites captain just halfway into his first season at Elland Road, before never looking back.

Forming strong partnerships with the likes of Kyle Bartley, Pontus Jansson and Ben White across his opening seasons, Cooper was the man who captained Leeds to a first spell in the Premier League since 2004 under Marcelo Bielsa, before continuing as a mainstay across three Premier League seasons.

After making 284 appearances in all, he departed last summer and joined Levski Sofia, before exiting the Bulgarian side in June, leading to rumours of a potential Championship return.

Liam Cooper would be a welcome presence in Sheffield Wednesday's dressing room

As previously mentioned, a move to Hillsborough could, once again, be on the cards for the towering figure, and his presence would certainly be welcomed in Wednesday's current situation.

Cooper would certainly add further depth, experience and quality behind Pedersen's current main defensive options of Liam Palmer, Dominic Iorfa and Max Lowe, whilst Di'shon Bernard continues to work his way back to full fitness.

Besides his on-pitch abilities, the Hull-born man would also aid the changing of culture at Hillsborough, as the club looks to steadily rebuild towards its previous position as Championship promotion contenders, even if a glaringly obvious spell in League One comes beforehand.

After seeing a raft of experienced players leave in the summer, many need to come the other way through the door as soon as possible, and having seen it all at another previous 'fallen giant', Cooper fits the bill in so many ways for his former Hull colleague.