Walsall sign young Derby County defender Dan Cox on season-long loan

The 19-year-old has been on trial with the Saddlers and featured in their 4-0 win at Leamington and 3-0 victory over Hereford during pre-season.

Cox has played 45 times for the Rams at youth level, including 25 appearances for their under-21s, and was an unused substitute during their 1-0 home defeat against Sheffield United in February.

He has 14 caps for Wales under-19s and also represented his country at under-15, under-16 and under-17 level. 

The teenager gained senior experience on loan at Enfield in the National League South last season, making nine appearances in total. 

"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," Cox said.

"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 and I've got a good range of passing so I try and start attacks as well."

Cox becomes Walsall's eighth signing of the summer transfer window, and the third to arrive via the loan market after goalkeeper Myles Roberts and striker Jonny Stuttle from Watford and Bournemouth respectively. 

“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 added.

"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."

Walsall face Cox's parent club Derby County in a pre-season friendly at Bescot on Tuesday evening.