Matthew Cox was promoted to Brentford’s first-team squad in the summer of 2022.
The young keeper began his career with Chelsea at the age of eight, playing in the same group as Myles Peart-Harris, Lewis Bate Tino Livramento and Jamal Musiala.
He spent six years with the club before he was snapped up by AFC Wimbledon at the age of 14.
Cox earned a professional contract aged 17. In south west London, coached by former Brentford goalkeeper Ashley Bayes, Cox earned a reputation for saving penalties and even got himself on the scoresheet.
In the 2020 EFL Youth Alliance Cup, Cox was just 16 when he put in the Performance of the Tournament, saving a spot-kick and then netting a last-minute header to level the scores against Northampton Town Under-18s. He went on to save two penalties in the shootout.
He followed this up with a penalty save and clean sheet against Oxford United U18s in the semi-final and then got a late winner against Rotherham United U18s in the final – a clearance from just outside his box bouncing over the opposition goalkeeper.
He helped the Wombles into the London Senior Cup final with a penalty save in May 2021, which they went on to lose 2-1 to Tooting and Mitcham United.
Despite appearing on the first-team bench 18 times during the 2020/21 season, Cox left the club to join Brentford’s B team in July 2021.
With David Raya sidelined due to injury, Cox played back-up to Álvaro Fernández during the festive period.
Cox was loaned to League One side Bristol Rovers for the 2023/24 campaign, where he made 34 appearances.
Cox is an England youth international. He was named in the squad for the 2022 UEFA European U19 Championship and started in four of the team's five matches during its victorious campaign. His performances were recognised with a place in the Team of the Tournament.
“Winning a tournament is the best feeling,” he reflected. “It’s why we all start playing, to go and win things.
“To win at a young age means you want more, and that helps when you come into the first team here at Brentford.”