Hull City: Liam Cooper swoop could prove to bring the best out of current Tigers player - View | OneFootball

Cooper is set to re-join the Tigers after starting his 14-year career in Hull and could bring the best out of Charlie Hughes, who signed this summer.

The imminent return of veteran centre-back Liam Cooper to Hull City may be proving divisise among the fanbase, but the colossal left-footed defender may bring more than just an experienced head to the dressing room in the 2024-25 season.

Cooper is set for a return to the Tigers after a report from HullLive journalist Baz Cooper suggested that the signing is almost complete, after he was spotted attending their goalless draw against Millwall on Saturday.

The Scotland international began his 14-year-long career with the Tigers before moving to Chesterfield and then eventually Elland Road with Leeds United, where he has recently seen his contract expire after 10 seasons.

Cooper made 17 appearances for the Tigers between 2008 and 2012 - making his debut as a 16-year-old - before making the move to Chesterfield in order to get regular game-time.

He has of course had a great career ever since, and when his return to East Yorkshire is confirmed, he will be the second new centre-back to sign for Tim Walter this summer after Charlie Hughes .

Hughes arrived from Wigan Athletic this summer for a fee in the region of £3.5 million as a long-term replacement for the departed Jacob Greaves, who has began his Premier League journey with Ipswich Town.

Hughes, at only 20 years of age, made his Wigan debut in the 2022-23 season, and whilst the Latics dropped from the Championship that campaign, the youngster has only gone from strength to strength by appearing regularly in League One.

Having captained Wigan on a number of occasions, Hughes is clearly an old head on young shoulders, but he could learn even more as a Hull player than he already has in his professional career - especially if playing alongside Cooper.

Liam Cooper could bring the best out of new Hull City recruit Charlie Hughes

Cooper's pedigree speaks for itself at Championship level, with his 2019/20 title-winning campaign at Leeds seeing him stand out in the prime of his career, playing an integral part on and off the pitch at EllandRoad.

And those leadership abilities could soon rub off on his soon-to-be new team-mate Hughes, who has showed similar abilities to what Cooper did in his earlier career when at Chesterfield in League One.

Hughes had a massive impact on the Latics last season, being made captain across 17 fixtures in all competitions, which included the Tics' FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United, whilst also receiving a nomination for the EFL's League One Young Player of the Season award, topping off a fantastic season from the young defender.

Despite the vast amount of options Tim Walter has at his disposal, this duo can still see game time on the pitch, even with Alfie Jones and Sean McLoughlin at the back too, but the likelihood is Cooper will have to rub off his traits on Hughes off the stage.

Even if he doesn't start straight away though, Hughes will still have a part to play, and Cooper can give the 20-year-old the skills he needs with thoughtful advice when defending.

Hull have a recent history of moulding their centre-backs into leaders. Harry Maguire and Jacob Greaves are two fine examples of what the Tigers can bring to Hughes - add Cooper's pedigree into the mix, and the youngster is on track to become a born leader.

Some Hull fans may be against the addition of Cooper to the squad, with plenty taking offence to the defender revealing he went against his Tigers-supporting family when younger and supporting rivals Leeds United instead.

However, Hull fans who feel that way need to think of the bigger pictures. With the sheer number of fixtures in a regular season season, Cooper can have his moments and is sure to become a useful option when called upon.

His ability at this level is still as sharp as ever after appearing 16 times for Leeds last season, in an already stacked defensive department.

Cooper also took in the experience of EURO 2024 with the Scotland national team, albeit no appearances, the experience adds to his already large stature in the EFL, and his international pedigree could also help in the making of Charlie Hughes.

Not only will he help Hughes with experience, but he's bound to give that off to other youngsters in the Hull side. Andy Smith is a Tigers' academy graduate and is yet to make his mark in the first-team, but could also benefit from Cooper's guidance.

A loan spell at Cheltenham Town - much like Greaves had - saw signs of promise, but Cooper can help unlock the potential of the 22-year-old even futher, whilst Finley Burns has signed on loan from Man City as well and is another talent that could thrive.

Hull have prided themselves on their defenders in recent years, and we could be seeing the start of something special in the former Wigan man. With Cooper having been there and done it, Hughes looks set to be in safe hands.