Murphy Joseph Cooper (formerly Mahoney, born 27 December 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Plymouth Argyle.
Club career Starting his career with local side, Caversham AFC, Cooper joined Queens Park Rangers in 2012, following a two-year spell at Wycombe Wanderers prior to their academy closing. During the 2021–22 campaign, Cooper spent time on loan in the National League South with Welling United and Bath City before eventually joining Stratford Town over the Christmas period. Upon his return to West London, he went onto make his debut for the club during a 2–1 away defeat to Preston North End, stepping in for the injured Kieren Westwood.
On 28 June 2022, Cooper signed a new two-year deal with QPR, keeping him with the club until 2024.
On 29 June 2023, Cooper signed for League Two club Swindon Town on loan for the duration of the 2023–24 season. He was ever-present for Swindon Town in EFL League Two until his loan spell was abruptly cut-short due to a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 loss at Tranmere Rovers in December 2023.
On 3 August 2024, Cooper joined League One club Stevenage on a season-long loan deal.
On 23 June 2025, Cooper signed a new contract with the R's before returning to League One, joining Barnsley on a season-long loan. In January, Barnsley activated a clause to end the goalkeeper's loan agreement early.
On 16 January 2026, Cooper signed on loan with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season, to replace the injured Pierce Charles. He made his debut the following day, starting the game against Portsmouth. He was voted the clubs player of the month for January after also featuring in the Championship and EFL teams of the week. He picked up a groin injury in February which would see him ruled out for three-to-four weeks, with Wednesday having to loan in Seny Dieng on an emergency loan to cover him. With Pierce Charles returning to fitness during his injury, he wouldn't return to the starting lineup until April against Middlesbrough.
On 14 July 2026, Cooper signed a two-year contract at EFL League One club Plymouth Argyle, for an undisclosed fee.
Personal life Cooper was known as Murphy Mahoney until he changed his name by deed poll in July 2024.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsQueens Park Rangers2021–22Championship20—00—202022–23Championship000000—002023–24Championship000000—002024–25Championship000000—002025–26Championship000000—00Total200000—20Welling United (loan)2021–22National League South50——0050Bath City (loan)2021–22National League South2010—0030Stratford Town (loan)2021–22Southern League Premier Division Central60———60Swindon Town (loan)2023–24League Two230101000250Stevenage (loan)2024–25League One370201000400Barnsley (loan)2025–26League One210303010280Sheffield Wednesday (loan)2025–26Championship8000000080Plymouth Argyle2026–27League One7000100080Career total11107060101250
References
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