Fri 18 Jul - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 2mins
Derby County Academy defender Daniel Cox is relishing the opportunity to prove himself in league football after sealing a season-long loan move to Sky Bet League 2 side Walsall.
The 19-year-old centre-back will spend the campaign in the West Midlands with the Saddlers, who will be looking to go one better in the 2025/26 campaign after tasting defeat in the Play-Off Final against AFC Wimbledon back in May.
Wales youth international Cox has come through the Academy ranks at Moor Farm and is now in his third season on professional terms after completing two years a scholar between 2021 and 2023.
After making his senior bow for the Rams during the 2023/24 season in the EFL Trophy as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s, he gained further senior experience with a loan stint at National League South Enfield Town last term.
He has been a regular for Derby’s Under-21s over the course of the last two years, competing in Premier League 2 and the Central League, alongside a variety of cup competitions.
A trial spell in the early stages of pre-season presented the chance for Walsall to run the rule over Cox and, after catching the eye, they quickly sealed his signature on a loan agreement for the upcoming campaign.
He could, ironically, line up against Derby when they visit the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium in a pre-season fixture on Tuesday 22nd July (7:30pm kick-off).
“I’m very happy to be here and can’t wait to get going,” Cox told Walsall’s website.
“It’s been good being around the place and now that I’m coming in, it feels quite natural.
“It’s a good group of lads and as a team we’ve built small connections already so hopefully we keep doing that and we can push on from there.
“I’m a defender so first and foremost, I want to keep the ball out of the net. I like to travel with the ball going forward. I’ve got a good range of passing so I try and start attacks too.”
Walsall Head Coach Mat Sadler is pleased to have secured Cox’s services and believes he will add balance and competition down the left-hand side of the Saddlers’ backline.
“Dan is a really strong, well thought of defender from Derby and we thank them for their help on this one thanks to the relationships that we have with them,” Sadler told Walsall’s website.
“He adds real balance to our left-hand side to compete in the places there. He drives with the ball and has a really athletic profile, so I’m really pleased to have secured him.”
