Linfield delivered a major statement of intent last night when they confirmed Joel Cooper’s return to the club, and now Blues legend Glenn Ferguson says Robbie McDaid is another star man who can ensure the champions remain kings of the Irish League.
inger Cooper was wanted by several Premiership sides but opted to rejoin Linfield on a three-year deal.
The 26-year-old struggled to settle at Oxford United, had a loan stint at Linfield last season and spent the second half of the current campaign at Port Vale.
Another imminent arrival at Windsor Park is McDaid, who turned down a contract offer at Glentoran and was left out of the squad at the end of the season.
The Blues have forwarded an official letter to the Glens detailing their intention to communicate with the frontman about a pre-contract deal.
And it now looks like the 25-year-old is Windsor Park bound with his contract set to expire on June 30.
“Every team in the league would want to sign Robbie McDaid,” said former Northern Ireland striker Ferguson, who won six league titles in his glittering career. “He’s a quality player but when Robbie made it quite clear at Glentoran that he wasn’t signing a new deal he was put out in the cold.
“He wasn’t even training with the team but football is all about making decisions and if he wants to leave and go somewhere else I hope Linfield are very much in the market for him.
“He’s a top player, has pace and scores goals. He’s strong and a good player.
“There are plenty of Linfield players who can provide him with service and now Joel Cooper is one of them following his return to the club which is a huge boost.”
Healy is thrilled to be reunited with Cooper, who won back-to-back titles with Linfield.
“It’s great that Joel has shown faith in the club and the squad by committing himself to this three-year contract and I want to assure all our supporters that we are continuing to make plans to try and bring in further players, to strengthen the squad for what is sure to be an even tougher league season next year,” said Healy.
“Joel is an experienced player who knows this league well and who will have benefited greatly from the experience he gained while in England.”
After leaving Rangers, striker Chris McKee will join Linfield after a successful title-winning loan spell with the Blues.