Factfile on Steven Gerrard’s latest high-priority target…

Football sites like Bet and Skill insist that Millwall’s 23-year-old centre half Jake Cooper, features high on a list of potential defenders to replace Bruno Alves who looks likely to move to Parma..

Jake is a quality left-sided no nonsense centre half and at 6’ 4” is dominant in the air, just what is required to play for Rangers in the SPL. He services will incur a decent transfer fee of between £1.5million – £3 million, which unfortunately you have to pay if you want to sign this calibre of player.

The English Championship is an ultra-competitive environment to succeed in, and Cooper made 50 appearances and scored 4 goals for Millwall last season. He has proven to be a consistent, reliable performer and hugely experienced in playing against numerous difficult opponents.

If Rangers are extra keen to sign Cooper for the Europa Cup games, the signing deadline is Friday 6 July, with another wildcard transfer allowed by Monday.

His CV is very good as you can see:

He was picked to play a game for the England U18’s side and twice for the U19 team, all 3 games were in his first season as a pro in 2013, and in 2016 he played twice for the U20’s.

Jake Cooper started off as a youth at Reading in 2009, and signed his first professional contract with the club in Jun ’13. He was highly thought of at the club, and due to the progress he was showing, they wanted him to sign a 3-year-contract, which he agreed to.

In season 2014-15, 19-year-old Cooper broke into the extremely competitive Championship side
and played in 19 games and scored 2 goals, which was a terrific start to his Reading career.

The next season, Jake made 30 appearances and again scored 2 goals and the local newspapers were raving about the potential of this 20-year-old defender. the club also extended his contract until Jun ‘18.

In season 2016-17 things changed dramatically and he only managed to play 3 times in the first half of the season, and on 19 Jan ‘17, Cooper joined League One side Millwall on loan until the end of the season and helped them gain promotion to the Championship and played 18 games and scored 2 goals.

Millwall were so delighted with his contribution, that they signed him on a three-year contract until Jun ’20, and played 50 matches, scoring 4 goals in their Championship year.

It is clear why Gerrard is so keen on this lad, and he could be the missing piece of the defensive jigsaw Rangers seek.