Daniel James Cox (born 30 January 2006) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Southend United. He is a Wales Under-21 international.
Cox began his career with Derby County, and has had loan spells at Enfield Town, Walsall, Wealdstone and Solihull Moors. He was released by Derby County in June 2026 and signed with Southend United.
Club career Derby County Cox began his career at Belvedere Park at the age of 7, where he spent 2 years before joining Derby County. He made his senior Derby County debut on 8 November 2023 in the EFL Trophy 4–1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers under-21s. Cox signed on loan for Enfield Town in October 2024. Cox made nine National League North appearances during his two months he spent on loan at Enfield.
In July 2025 Cox moved on loan to EFL League Two club Walsall for the 2025–26 season. Cox made his Walsall debut on 12 August 2025 in the starting line-up for the 1st round EFL Cup penalty shootout defeat at Stoke City. He made his league debut on 16 August 2025 in the starting line-up for the 2–1 EFL League Two defeat to Barnet.
In January 2026 he was recalled by Derby, after making seven appearances. moving on loan to Wealdstone later that month, for an initial month-long loan. On 10 January 2026. Cox made his debut for Wealdstone in a 1–0 fourth round FA Trophy win at Dagenham & Redbridge. This would turn out to be the only appearance for Cox as his loan was ended early on 21 January, after picking up a hamstring injury.
On 25 March 2026 upon his recovery from injury, Cox joined National League club Solihull Moors on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season. Cox made his debut for Solihull Moors in the starting line-up for the 1–0 National League victory over Altrincham on 28 March 2026. Cox played five times for Moors.
On 15 May 2026, it was announced that Cox would leave Derby County upon the expiry of his contract in June 2026.
Southend United On 27 June 2026, Cox joined National League club Southend United on a two-year contract, with an option for a third year.
International career Cox is a former Wales under-19 international. He made his debut for the Wales under-21 national team on 8 September 2025, in a 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Denmark.
Style of play Cox "leads by example".
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDerby County2023–24League One00000010102024–25Championship000000—002025–26Championship000000—00Total0000000010Enfield Town (loan)2024–25National League North90——10100Walsall (loan)2025–26League Two3000103070Wealdstone (loan)2025–26National League00——1010Solihull Moors (loan)2025–26National League50———50Southend United 2026–27National League0000—0000Career total170001060240
References