TORONTO FC ACQUIRE ARMANDO COOPER ON LOAN
Toronto FC announced Thursday that the club has acquired Panamanian international midfielder Armando Cooper on loan from Club Deportivo Árabe Unido (C.D. Árabe Unido) of the Liga Panameña de Fútbol. He will be added to the roster pending receipt of his Canadian work permit.
“Armando is a versatile midfielder who can play multiple positions and add depth to our roster,” said Toronto General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “His range of experience with both club and country will be an asset as we continue our push for the playoffs. We are pleased to get this deal finalized and integrate Armando into our group.”
Cooper, 28, has earned 74 caps and registered five goals for the Panamanian national team. He made his debut with Panama on October 7, 2006 against El Salvador. He registered his first goal for Panama on January 16, 2011, in a 2–0 victory over Nicaragua during the 2011 Copa Centroamericana. Cooper most recently represented Panama at the 2016 Copa América Centenario. He was also part of Panama’s 2011 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup squads.
Cooper rejoined C.D. Árabe Unido in September 2015, the club he originally began his professional career with in 2006. He played for Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (Godoy Cruz) of the Argentine Primera División in 2011. He remained with the club until 2015, making a combined 32 appearances registering three goals. In 2013, Cooper was sent on loan to Romanian club, Asociația Suporter Club Oțelul Galați (ASC Oțelul Galați) appearing in 21 matches and registered three goals. He returned to Godoy Cruz following the season long loan. Cooper later joined 2. Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli in February 2015 and made seven appearances for the club.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC acquire Panamanian international midfielder Armando Cooper on loan from C.D. Árabe Unido as a Discovery Signing.
ARMANDO COOPER
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11
Weight: 150 lbs
Birthdate: November 26, 1987
Birth Place: Colón, Panama
Nationality: Panamanian
Last Club: C.D. Árabe Unido
Pronunciation: “ARE-MON-DO COO-PER”
