JAKE Cooper had his heart set on sealing a permanent move to Millwall from Reading FC.

Lions boss Neil Harris claims the 22-year-old defender from Ascot was desperate to join the Championship newcomers after helping them win promotion through the play-offs while on loan at The Den last season.

The former pupil of Forest School in Winnersh finally got his wish when he joined Millwall for around £400,000 last Friday, signing a three-year deal.

Harris told Millwall fans’ website, News At Den: “Jake told me in April that his future lay here, that he wanted to be here.

“Even when I left him out of the starting XI at Wembley he still wanted to be here.

“It took a little bit longer than anticipated but Jake was always the number one target and he was desperate to come.

“He was one I was really keen to sign because there aren’t many 6ft 6ins left-footed centre-halves available and I thought for us to have real balance in our defence we needed a left-footer.”


Cooper impressed Harris after joining Millwall on loan in January. He made 18 appearances for the club as they secured promotion by beating Bradford City in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

The former Reading Academy defender played 54 times for Reading’s first-team, but his chances of adding to that total appeared slim under boss Jaap Stam this season.