Highly-rated goalkeeper Michael Cooper was named in the Sky Bet League One Team of the Season for 2022/23, marking the second year in succession he has been considered the best goalkeeper in his division by his peers. 

Cooper has been a Pilgrim since the age of nine. He came through the Argyle Centre of Excellence, then the Academy system and was long considered to be a huge prospect.

Cooper’s debut came in extraordinary circumstances. Just two weeks after he turned 18, Cooper was the substitute goalkeeper for Argyle, away at Blackburn Rovers, and came on as a substitute for the injured Kyle Letheren. In the second half, under severe pressure, he kept a personal clean sheet, carrying Argyle to a 1-1 draw. 

His second league appearance came in equally dramatic circumstances. Cooper replaced Matt Macey in the 63rd minute of the final game of the 2018/19 season, against Scunthorpe United. Once again, Cooper kept the opposition out, and this time Argyle won the game, but it was not enough to avoid relegation that season. 

After adding a handful of cup appearances to his tally in 2019/20, Cooper was named as Argyle’s first-choice goalkeeper at the start of the 2020/21 Sky Bet League One season and went on to make 121 consecutive league starts before a knee injury at Sheffield Wednesday ended his run, and his 22/23 campaign in the process.

He had still done enough to earn the accolade of Argyle's Player of the Season, winning the award for the second year in a row. Blessed with exceptional reactions and superb distribution, Cooper is a commanding presence within his penalty area. 

In March 2023, Mike signed a contract extension with Argyle, committing him to the Pilgrims until the summer of 2025.