Liam Cooper reflects on the pride of captaining Leeds United to the Premier League

Liam Cooper has spoken of his pride at captaining Leeds United to promotion and Premier League football.

Marcelo Bielsa's side ended 16 years of hurt as they claimed the Championship crown by a stunning 10-point margin last month.

The Whites will be plying their trade in the top flight for the first time since the Elland Road outfit suffered relegation in 2004 amid financial turmoil and off-field uncertainty.

Leeds are now spending the summer preparing for a campaign amongst England's elite. Cooper, though, has reflected on the achievement that he and his team-mates have accomplished.

The 28-year-old led his side to the title in fine style but believes it is nothing more that he and Bielsa's squad deserve for all of their hard work in recent seasons.

"I'm so proud and I get quite emotional talking about it," Cooper reflected.

"I know how much the lads have sacrificed. Unless you are part of this team, you won't understand the lengths we have gone to in order to be successful. This group has deserved it.

"To a man we have been a different class. This league isn't easy to win, it's tough, it is a slog and it is difficult.

"There are ups and downs and we've had our fair share of downs, but now we are seeing the ups.

"This city deserves it, our club deserves it and to have succeeded with this group really is unbelievable. All of the players and staff, to a man, are great at their jobs, but they are great human beings and great people.

"I'm so proud we have got the job done."

He added: "It's things like this you hold onto and being a Leeds fan makes it even more special.

"I know where the club has been, I've been part of the club for six years now and to be remembered alongside some of the legends, albeit below some of the all-time greats, we will still be in the record books and that is what we have embraced.

"We're so proud to have achieved this and it is a credit to the team."