Chesterfield will receive six-figure sum after Leeds United seal promotion to Premier League

The Spireites sold Liam Cooper to the Whites in 2014 for £600,000 and inserted a clause in the paperwork which would entitle them to an additional six-figure sum if Leeds won promotion to the top flight and if the defender made a certain number of appearances.

The Whites’ return to the top flight after 16 years away was sealed on Friday night after West Brom’s defeat to Huddersfield Town.

Cooper, 28, has made 37 appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season so it is believed the Blues will get the much-needed windfall.

At this stage it is unclear whether the money will go to current owner Dave Allen or if the Chesterfield FC Community Trust could benefit if they complete a takeover of the club soon.

Spireites company secretary, Ashley Carson, previously confirmed: “We do have a clause that pays us a significant bonus if they gain promotion to the Premier League. As you can imagine, the contract is subject to confidentiality, no surprise, but it is a six-figure figure sum.”

Cooper came to the attention of Leeds in 2014 during a pre-season friendly.

Cooper’s agent Steve Blatherwick, himself a former Chesterfield centre-half, said: “They were really impressed with him that game, he had a worldie.”

Leeds initially offered £500,000 for Cooper but Chesterfield told them to double their offer.

The West Yorkshire club came back with another offer of £600,000, to be paid in two installments, with a number of add-ons, but this was also turned down.

The third bid was £600,000 paid in full plus the add-ons, according to Graham Bean, who was Leeds’ club consultant at the time and who later became chief executive at Chesterfield in 2018 before leaving last year.

Leeds, captained by Cooper, will be playing in the Premier League next season for the first time since 2004.

Bielsa’s men suffered play-off heartache last year but have recovered impressively to secure an automatic promotion spot with an attractive and relentless style of play.