Barnsley Football Club is pleased to announce a season-long loan deal for Murphy Cooper, subject to EFL registration. The goalkeeper arrives from Sky Bet Championship side Queens Park Rangers and will remain at Oakwell until the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Cooper spent last season on loan at fellow League One outfit Stevenage, where he impressed during his time in Hertfordshire, keeping 16 clean sheets in 37 appearances. His standout performances earned him the club’s Young Player of the Year award at the end-of-season awards ceremony. The 23-year-old joined Wycombe Wanderers’ academy in 2010 and after two years in Buckinghamshire, he made the move to QPR. In 2023, Cooper gained experience in League Two with a loan spell at Swindon Town, before stepping up to League One with Stevenage last season. Speaking about the Reds’ latest signing, Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz said: “We’re very pleased to bring Murphy to Barnsley for the upcoming season. “He’s a talented young goalkeeper who’s already shown great maturity and consistency at this level. His performances at Stevenage last season demonstrated his potential, and we believe he’ll add real quality and competition to our goalkeeping department. “We’re looking forward to seeing him develop further during his time at Oakwell.” Head Coach, Conor Hourihane continued: "Murphy is a really promising young goalkeeper and we’re delighted to have him with us for the season ahead. “He’s got good experience at this level already and comes into a strong goalkeeping group, which will push each other every day. We’re looking forward to working with him and helping him continue his development here at Oakwell.” Murphy Cooper added: “I'm delighted to be here. As soon as I knew it was an option and Barnsley were interested, I was itching to get on board. “I'm delighted to be here for the season. I'm looking forward to meeting all the lads today and looking forward to the season ahead.” Welcome to Oakwell, Murphy. Continue reading...
Whilst another keeper on loan is very frustrating, I'm happy we've signed this lad. He did very well at Stevenage last season by all accounts, and is good at coming for crosses which is something we've lacked in a keeper for a while.
Pleased to see some kind of movement and looks a good player based on last season. Confused by our keeper strategy though. Jackson Smith is in his third season with us now?! We keep being told he’s the long term number one but with Flavell also signing a new contract surely a discussion about Jackson has to take place at some point. If he’s not rated anymore then why not go for a permanent keeper signing?!
From folk I rely on/trust in terms of opinion and analysis, he was arguably the best 'keeper at the level last term. Seems a very sensible pick-up to me.
It’s a start but still baffled why we keep loaning keepers instead of just getting a permanent one. Does sound to have done well at Stevenage though with 16 clean sheets last season. He’ll do well to repeat that behind the likes of MDG !
At this moment, he appears to better and more experienced - albeit slightly - than our current keepers. Also, more importantly, it's an improvement on the other loan keepers from last season. Frustrating that it's another loan but we have two highly rated young keepers on the books and hopefully we can still develop them in tandem with this signing. Happy with this and hopefully it's a sign of things to come.
Makes sense to me. Buying a keeper who is established and/or well thought of, will cost money. Buying a keeper who we are taking a punt on, doesn’t always work out (aka Smith). We’ve gone down the sensible route of loaning a keeper who’s experienced and done very well at this level already last season. He ticks the box for me - and with Smith & Flavell already in the door, we’re sorted. I expected 1 of the latter to go on a short term loan tbf to keep em playing.
After the way the season fizzled out and the negativity it produced new blood is vital this season with players brought in who haven't got the negative mindset. The rebuild starts today and hopefully the new signings will lift the gloom of last seasons failings.
All depends on results, proof of the pudding will be 10/12 games into the season. As the old saying goes it's a results business.
Don't mind loan players one bit as long as they're decent. 2016 we wouldn't have been anywhere near promotion without the likes of Kevin Long, Adie White, Josh Brownhill, Loyd Isgrove, Ashley Fletcher, Ivan Toney etc
One of the best players in the league at his position last season. The problem with loans is they often arrive too late, with clubs trying to shift them on deadline day. Getting a keeper in early lets him work with the defence in pre-season. Good bit of business.