Leeds United skipper Liam Cooper was handed a new 'long-term' five-year contract last week after a very impressive last year with the club.

Liam Cooper has been at Leeds for five years and has been given another five years due to being a revitalised defender for the club under the watchful eye of Marcelo Bielsa.

Cooper joined Leeds from Chesterfield in 2014, brought in by Massimo Cellino during a period where Leeds United suffered from more drama off the pitch than on the pitch. Performances largely reflected that.

With him not being a standout, strong performer in his first three years fans jumped on the player's back, with Cooper coined 'League One Liam'.

Cooper was named club captain in the summer of 2017. From this moment on his leadership has really stood out and he has grown and grown.

Cooper, a local lad from Hull understands what it means to play for Leeds, what it means to captain a club like Leeds and this, without doubt, strikes an accord with the fans in the stands.

The desire and passion Cooper continues to show week in, week out has turned a player who many fans saw as a lacklustre defender into a fan favourite, Bielsa himself has spoken of the Yorkshireman's importance.

Leeds have had consistency going into the current campaign, with Bielsa remaining in charge the players have picked up where they left off, none more so than captain Cooper.

The club sold 'cult hero' defender Pontus Jansson in the summer. Fans were concerned that the loss of Jansson would be crucial. However, the arrival of on-loan defender Ben White from Brighton has more than filled the gap left by the Swedish international.

As impressive as White has been Cooper has been right alongside performing just as well, leading the side to the top of the Championship, as things stand.

The partnership the two have built up has proven the meticulous and rigorous approach of Bielsa and the hard work and desire of the two central defenders.

What has stood out a lot in Cooper's game is his distribution, the possession game which is so key to Leeds begins at the back. Cooper is cool on the ball and has a useful long diagonal pass which turns defence quickly into attack.

Cooper is one of the last bastions of the traditional captain, speaking his mind, giving his absolute all and performing to the standard Bielsa wants and the fans demand.

After coming so close to promotion last season, the club is now "chalk and cheese" from where it was in every aspect from when Cooper joined to where it is now, Cooper told the club website after announcing his new contract last week.

With Leeds at the top of the division, extra motivation from last season. Cooper, sooner rather than later could be being called 'Premier League Liam'.