Glenn Ferguson believes Joel Cooper will throw down the gauntlet to Conor McMenamin next season.
McMenamin's stock is on the rise following a stellar year with Glentoran, and also earning a call-up to Ian Baraclough's Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League games.
Cooper is looking to galvanise his own career following a frustrating spell across the water, and is now back at Linfield after leaving Oxford United by mutual consent earlier this month.
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The 26-year-old, who spent the latter half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Linfield after joining Oxford from the Blues in 2020, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal.
He scored 26 goals in 106 appearances during his previous spell with the Big Two giants, and will re-join the club when the transfer window opens next month.
Windsor legend Ferguson, who is now head of Linfield 's academy, has described Cooper's return as a "massive signing".
And he believes the former Glenavon man will be out to make his mark in the Premiership.
"Joel is another massive signing. It just didn't work out for him when he went across the water, but we all know how good he is," Ferguson told Belfast Live.
"Left-sided players are few and far between, especially the good ones. You look around the league, someone like Conor McMenamin who has had a fantastic season. Joel Cooper will be pushing Conor all the way next season.
"Joel is strong, good on the ball, very fit and can score goals. He will give Linfield another dimension going forward and it will be another exciting season and he will only add to that."
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