Sheffield Utd sign Plymouth goalkeeper Cooper

Michael Cooper has been with Plymouth since he was 11 years old

Sheffield United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Michael Cooper from fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle for a "significant" fee.

Devon-born Cooper completed a medical with the Blades and will join for an initial fee believed to be £2m, potentially rising to £4m with add-ons, including a percentage of the profit from any future sell-on fee.

The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Home Park and made 161 appearances for the Pilgrims.

But his future at the club has been in doubt ever since Wayne Rooney took over as head coach in early July.

Cooper, a key figure in the club's League One-winning campaign in 2022-23 and survival in the Championship last term, has was not been involved in Argyle's two games under Rooney this season - the opening league defeat by Sheffield Wednesday and the EFL Cup win over Cheltenham.

Cooper is Sheffield United's eighth permanent deal of the transfer window as they remould their squad following relegation from the Premier League.

The Blades have made a 100% winning start so far, beating Preston in their first Championship game of the season and then seeing off Wrexham in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

"Michael has been one of our major targets, which is why we have persevered on this deal and he was very keen to join," Blades boss Chris Wilder told the club's website.

"He's young at 24, but with over 150 games behind him, so there's experience there too. He's a winner, as proven by the role he played in getting Plymouth into this division, and he now has Championship experience behind him too."

Analysis - Local boy will have special place in Argyle hearts

Brent Pilnick BBC Sport

Michael Cooper will always hold a special place in the hearts of Argyle fans - he made his debut as an 18-year-old substitute in October 2017 after all three of the club’s senior goalkeepers were injured.

The Plymouth-born academy graduate became first choice at the start of the 2020-21 season and helped the club win promotion to the Championship and reach the EFL Trophy final in 2023 – although he missed both after a serious knee injury.

In that time he established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in the EFL and was first-choice when fit last season – playing a crucial role in the run-in as Argyle secured Championship survival.

While the reported fee of around £2m might seem low for a such a highly-rated young goalkeeper, he only had a year left to run on his contract.

It would be stunning if Argyle did not have significant performance-based and sell-on clauses, should Cooper reach the heights many at Home Park feel he is capable of doing.