Joel Cooper signs for Port Vale on loan from Oxford United

Oxford United have confirmed that Joel Cooper has linked up with League Two side Port Vale on loan until the end of the season. 

The former Glenavon and Linfield winger has found minutes hard to come by at the Kassam Stadium in 2020 as he spent the second half of last season back on loan at Windsor Park. 

The 25-year-old has only made 11 appearances for Karl Robinson’s side since making the move into the EFL from Danske Bank Premiership holders Linfield. 

During his loan back to David Healy’s men last season, he helped the Blues secure a league and cup double as he scored in the Irish Cup final victory over Larne at Mourneview Park.

The tricky winger has also represented Northern Ireland on five occasions at under-21 level.

He has made five appearances in 2021/22 and scored twice in the 3-2 Papa John’s Trophy win over Tottenham Hotspur under-21s in October.

He also made substitute appearances against Fleetwood Town and Rotherham United in the league, but is yet to start a game in League One.

On sending him on loan Robinson said “Joel needs to be playing games, Port Vale are a good club where we know he will be looked after and hopefully he gets to help them push on from their league position in the second half of the season.”

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke was delighted to get the deal over the line as he went on to explain “Joel is a versatile winger who can play on either side, he’s a good ball traveller and he arrives with a good goalscoring record.

“We’ve obviously lost Dennis Politic who was a goal scorer, and this boy can score goals, something he’s shown with his form in Ireland and we’re looking forward to him fitting into the group very well.   



“We’ve lost a lot of players this January, we’ve suffered from an unbelievable amount of injuries and Covid cases over the last 12 weeks and we’ve got a lot of games coming up, so this addition adds more competition for places and gives us another good wide option, with a lad who can play in three or four positions, which is a big strength.”

Vale are tenth in Sky Bet League Two, five points shy of the play-off places, although they are without a win in five matches.

Copper could make his debut this weekend against League Two strugglers Scunthorpe United at Vale Park who are in the relegation zone. 

    About Joshua Bunting

    View Full Profile