Matthew Cox (footballer)

Matthew Aidan Cox (born 2 May 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Brentford.

Cox is a product of the Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon academies and began his professional career with the latter club in 2020. He transferred to Brentford in 2021. Cox has been capped by England at youth level.

Youth years
A goalkeeper, Cox began his career in the Chelsea Academy at age eight and concerns over his height led to his release at age 14. He moved into the AFC Wimbledon academy and progressed to sign his first professional contract in on his 17th birthday in May 2020. Cox was an unused substitute with the first team on 18 occasions during the 2020–21 season. At youth level, Cox was a part of the Dons' 2020–21 EFL Youth Alliance Cup-winning squad (scoring two goals during the campaign) and he was recognised for his football and academic progress by the LFE in November 2020. Cox departed Plough Lane in July 2021.

Brentford
On 22 July 2021, Cox transferred to the B team at Premier League club Brentford and signed three-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed fee. He was called into the first team's St George's Park training camp during the 2021–22 pre-season and was assigned a first team squad number. As a result of a long-term injury suffered by first-choice goalkeeper David Raya in October 2021, Cox was promoted onto the first team substitutes' bench as backup for loanee Álvaro Fernández. Following the arrival of second loan goalkeeper Jonas Lössl in January 2022, Cox dropped back out of the matchday squad, but was frequently a member of the first team group. He made 18 B team appearances during the 2021–22 season. Cox was promoted into the first team squad in May 2022 and six weeks later he signed a new six-year contract, with a one-year option.

Beginning 2022–23 as third-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya and new signing Thomas Strakosha, ankle injuries suffered by Strakosha during the season saw Cox serve as Raya's backup for 24 matches. He also made seven appearances during the B team's 2022–23 Premier League Cup-winning campaign.

On 25 July 2023, Cox joined League One club Bristol Rovers on loan for the duration of the 2023–24 season. He began the season as first-choice goalkeeper, but following a dip in form, he was dropped in favour of Jed Ward in late January 2024. Cox made just one further appearance before the end of the season and finished a mid-table campaign on 34 appearances.

International career
Cox was capped twice by England at U17 level in February 2020. He was called into one U18 and two U19 training camps during the 2020–21 season and made his U19 debut as a half time substitute during a 2–0 friendly win over Italy on 2 September 2021. One month later, Cox won his maiden call into the U20 squad for a pair of friendlies and made his debut as a late substitute for James Trafford in a 5–0 win over the Czech Republic in the second match.

Returning to the U19 team for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, Cox was a part of the squad which qualified for the 2022 UEFA European U19 Championship. He was named in the Finals squad and started in four of the team's five matches during its victorious campaign. Cox's performances were recognised with a place in the Team of the Tournament. Cox was a member of England's 2023 U20 World Cup squad and made four appearances prior to the team's round-of-16 exit.

Cox was called into the U21 squad for 2025 European U21 Championship qualifiers on three occasions during the 2023–24 season and he was an unused substitute during four matches.

Style of play
In July 2022, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank stated that Cox "has all the attributes a modern goalkeeper needs. He has very good positioning when coming for crosses and is a great shot stopper and with the ball at his feet. He has attributes like a hunger to acquire new tools in every training session, a mature personality and outstanding learning skills".

Personal life
Prior to switching to football, Cox played youth rugby union for Cobham. His father is a rugby union coach and his sister Katie is a goalkeeper in the Chelsea Women youth system. As of 2021, Cox was living in Chessington.

Career statistics


Honours
England U19

Brentford B
 * UEFA European U19 Championship: 2022


 * Premier League Cup: 2022–23

Individual


 * UEFA European U19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2022