Kenny Cooper

[2mas]

MLS has rejected a $1M bid on the Dallas striker: Rosenborg Placed Rejected Bid on Cooper

He has scored 23 goals in 60 matches for Dallas after leaving Manchester United reserves:

[Skotten]

Similar build to Karadas, could be a good move.

[2mas]

Another bid rejected - aprox. $1.5M.

But he seems to be worth another try... A classical tank center with pace, I would say.

[2mas]

A transfer is very close according to VG.

Even though "Coop" is a big guy, he seems to be quite "movable". Maybe somehow like Koné, who could break through the opponent's defence when he really wanted too. Sadly he often was to stagnant.

Cooper plays the all star game against West Ham tonight: kickoff at 01:00 CET

[Gerrit]

On a few other soccer forums visited by a large group of Americans, people said the first bid was ridiculously low. So this probably means the guy did leave a good impression, otherwise they would not comment in a way suggesting he is worth a huge fee.

It would be a great transfer, and probably for him as well as the Norwegian league can be his stepping stone if he wants to make a career in Europe.
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Rosenborg, forever pride of the North!

[2mas]

Also Cooper is coming

[2mas]

ESPN interviewed him at half time in the all star game. According to bigsoccer is was something like this:

[Engelsk]

Why does the MLS accept or reject transfer bids, and not the actual clubs?
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thecomplexii.com - Founded 2005

[Gerrit]

That's how it works and always worked since MLS was created. It is a system to prevent certain clubs from becoming too powerful.

- players are owned by MLS and allocated to clubs, transfer fees and salaries etc are set by the MLS
- MLS decides the salaries of a player and then lets clubs bid. The club that gets the player sort of loans the player from MLS.
- if a player performs well, MLS may rise his salary, leading to the current club sometimes not wanting to pay anymore and other clubs making bids
- transfers out of the USA are dealt with by MLS as they are considered the owner of a player.

I do believe the system works as it clearly prevents from some richer clubs rising their financial offers so that all players choose the same club and one club becomes too powerful. By controlling the league and salaries a bit, the MLS succesfully keeps the league competitive. Just look at how many different teams have won the league and how rarely a same club won successive trophies. I sort of like the MLS system for that. I don't like the franchise aspect of it though, but that is just typically USA in all sports.
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Rosenborg, forever pride of the North!

[Engelsk]

Ah, fair enough. Thanks for the info...
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thecomplexii.com - Founded 2005

[2mas]

We got competition:

Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale suggested Cooper to manager Dave Jones, who then asked a scout in America to check out the big centre-forward.

“I was chairman at Barnsley when they tried to sign Cooper on loan from Manchester United,� said Ridsdale. “The name was mentioned to Dave Jones and he has checked him out.

“We have had him watched a number of times and our offer for the player has been accepted.

“We are in talks on personal terms and that is ongoing.�

Read more: Cardiff City target Cooper as a Major priority

Cooper with two goals and one assist in his farewell against LA Galaxy yesterday. Here is the press conference after the 4-0 win.

In writing:

"Is this the last time you'll see me? I don't know - I hope not," the 23-year-old told a press conference.

"In all honesty I'd rather keep focus on the game. I don't want to take away from my coach's first victory and a great performance by the team. I'm proud to be a part of that."

However, he would not rule out entirely the prospect of a switch to another club.

"I don't know what my future holds," he conceded. "I love being here, but I'd rather focus on our win today."

Read more: Exuberant Cooper Downplays Transfer Talk

[2mas]

"Rosenborg are Kenny's first choice as it stands," agent Jan Schiefloe told Adressa.

"Cardiff is in the picture, but (this move) is not as interesting to him."

Read more: Cooper Prefers RBK, Says Agent

[2mas]

Kenny Cooper has told Cardiff City he will talk to Rosenborg before discussing a move to the FA Cup finalists.

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale told BBC Sport: "The MLS own the player and they have accepted our bid.

"Rosenborg bid for Kenny first and he wants to talk to them first before seeing what we can offer."

Read more: Cooper to discuss Norwegian move

Good for us!

[2mas]

Kenny Cooper may not be going anywhere, except back to Pizza Hut Park.

Cooper’s agent Lyle York and the player’s father have had a request for him and his son to take a quick flight to Rosenborg ever since the Norwegian club’s transfer offer shot up into the multi-million-dollar range. But the MLS league office and FCD has turned down the request a second time.

It means the club has rejected the transfer offers.

“Sure, I’m disappointed, because it is a very lucrative, legitimate offer from a European team,� Cooper Sr. said today.

“It is a guaranteed offer that would set Kenny up for life. With Rosenborg qualifying for the European Champions League over the weekend, the exposure in Europe would be massive. It has been great having Kenny in Dallas. I’m a big believer in the MLS and what they have accomplished as a league.�

Read more: FCD WANTS COOPER; REJECTS BIDS

[attach]

From their official blog: Cooper Staying
FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock issued the following statement regarding transfer offers for Kenny Cooper.

“We received offers from multiple international clubs for Kenny Cooper during this transfer window, but we elected to decline them all. The international interest is a credit to Kenny, FC Dallas and the ever increasing talent level in Major League Soccer.

“Winning championships is our priority, and we feel strongly that Kenny will continue to be an important part of our success as we compete for the MLS Cup this year and in the future.”

[Bakklandia]

Well, he didn't get it quite right. The Champions League is just a dream for us right now.
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Det er bedre å stupe ut i smørøyet enn å gå rundt grøten!

[Gerrit]

Well, we are in Europe (even if "only" UEFA Cup) and we are one of the title contenders usually, so I do understand why Cooper associates us with exposure in Europe. I wonder if FC Dallas is going to remain stubborn or if we will make a new bid? Surely he will want to leave America now that several European clubs are knocking at the door... so what's the point in keeping a player who is motivated to leave instead of getting some decent money for him? Maybe they're just trying to rise the price tag to keep the interested clubs bidding higher?
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Rosenborg, forever pride of the North!

[2mas]

They might be, but the Coopers seem to be giving up:

"We respect the decision," said the player's father and advisor, Kenny Cooper Sr.

"It was a massive opportunity for Kenny with the possibility to play against the best teams in the world and a lucrative offer that could have set him for life."

Read more: FC Dallas keeping Kenny Cooper

[Gerrit]

Maybe a final bid with an increased price? After all MLS may not refuse an improved offer. The player clearly wants to go, so they may consider a good transfer sum rather than an unmotivated player...
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Rosenborg, forever pride of the North!

[Bakklandia]

Sadly, it's not the MLS that refuses, but the club who uses their veto.
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Det er bedre å stupe ut i smørøyet enn å gå rundt grøten!

[2mas]

Cooper said he’s just ready to move forward now that the club has elected to keep him.

"I’m extremely flattered that teams like Rosenborg and Cardiff showed great interest," Cooper said.

"Obviously, moving forward I’m understanding of FC Dallas’ decision to keep me here. I have to be focused on being a good professional and doing everything for my club every day."

Read more: Keeping Kenny Cooper a shot on goal for FC Dallas

[2mas]

According to Cooper Sr., his son's camp has already turned down two offers from FC Dallas in ongoing contract negotiations. While Cooper Sr. wouldn't specify exact numbers, those offers are believed to be in the $300,000 to $400,000 per year range.

While that would be a significant raise for Cooper, who is making just north of $80,000, it's not what Cooper or his agent, Lyle York, are seeking.

What exactly the Cooper camp is seeking is not known, as calls to York, who is in Europe presumably gathering offers, were not immediately returned.

(...)

With all the talk of contracts and transfers, the Coopers are adamant that there are no hard feelings on their side and there is mutual respect between both camps.

"We just have to handle it the right way," Cooper Sr. said. "I think so far we have handled it the right way and we will continue to do that. A lot of transfers and trades in Europe get controversial and nasty, we see it every day. We are not into that. I understand the way this league is structured. They have done a ton of things right, they have earned a tone of respect around the world. You also have to look at the ways they want to do business.

"What Kenny is trying to do is what a lot of young soccer players are trying to do, whether it's here or in Europe, and that's to stick your chest out, get the American flag, wave it, stick it in the ground and say, 'We've arrived.'"

Read more: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, that's what Cooper needs from FCD

[Gerrit]

I must say that last paragraph leaves a sour taste. I sort of dislike that American patriottism, much like I dislike American politics in general... But I would still love Cooper to come, regardless of what his agent says. Based on a few highlights on YouTube he seems to be a quality striker who could be a big asset for us.
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Rosenborg, forever pride of the North!

[attach]

He's from Texas, you know.

[Gerrit]

Yeah, that is worrying. Nothing ever good came out of Texas, apart from maybe Lance Armstrong. But on the other hand: capital punishment, even more patriottic than the rest of the US, Bible Belt, George W Bush

Well, if Cooper comes to Rosenborg he will be Europeanised soon enough so I am still wanting him to sign If he is not signing a new contract at FC Dallas, then probably they will sell him while they can still get some money from him?
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Rosenborg, forever pride of the North!