Katie Cox

Katie Jane Cox (born 28 April 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Women's Super League 2 team Nottingham Forest, on loan from Chelsea, and the England under-20 and under-23 national teams. She previously played on loan for Scottish Women's Premier League side Aberdeen, and represented England at the under-16, under-17, and under-19 age groups.

Early life Katie Jane Cox was born on 28 April 2006 in Kingston upon Thames. She has two brothers. Her older brother, Matthew Cox, is also a goalkeeper who came through Chelsea's academy. Cox's parents are both PE teachers, coaches rugby. She had a German Shorthaired Pointer called Lola who died during the 2024–25 season. Cox gave up playing basketball in order to progress her football career.

Youth career Cox joined Chelsea's academy age 8, and progressed through the team's youth sides. In the 2021–22 season, Cox was part of the academy team who won the FA Youth Cup. The following season, she also earned the PGA Cup title. In 2023, Cox lifted the WSL Academy League Cup with Chelsea, beating Manchester United's under-21 side in the final. In May 2024, she was awarded Chelsea's first-ever Women's Academy Player of the Year award.

Club career

Chelsea, 2024– On 23 August 2024, Cox signed her first professional contract with academy club Chelsea. The deal would run until summer 2026, with the option for an extra year. Cox spent her first year on the senior team working with experienced 'keepers Zećira Mušović and Hannah Hampton, stating that she ‘‘wouldn't want to be learning anywhere or from anyone else.’’ Cox was regularly named to Chelsea's match day squad — including for Champions League matches against Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Barcelona — though she did not appear for the team. In the 2024–25 season, she achieved a domestic treble — the WSL title, FA Cup, and League Cup — as Chelsea finished the season unbeaten in domestic competitions.

Loan to Aberdeen, 2025–26 In August 2025, it was announced that Cox would join Scottish Women's Premier League side Aberdeen on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season. In February 2026, she was named to the SWPL Team of the Week. BBC Sport named Cox to their SWPL Team of the Week in May 2026. She made a total of 24 SWPL 1 appearances for Aberdeen across the length of her loan.

Return to Chelsea and new contract, 2026 In August 2026, she was part of Chelsea's travelling squad for their pre-season tour and exhibition match in New Zealand and Australia. On 19 August 2026, Cox signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea.

Loan to Nottingham Forest, 2026– Having signed a new contract with Chelsea on 19 August 2026, it was announced that Cox would spend the 2026–27 season on loan at Women's Super League 2 side Nottingham Forest,

In October 2024, Cox was named to England's under-23 squad for a series of Euro League fixtures. Alongside fellow Chelsea academy graduate Lexi Potter, Cox was again called up to the under-23 squad for a pair of fixtures against Germany and Portugal in October 2025. In April 2026, Cox was an unused substitute as the team beat Sweden to win the 2025–26 U23 European Competition.

In July 2026, Cox was called up to the England under-20 team for a series of fixtures ahead of the 2026 U-20 World Cup. On 21 August 2026, Cox was called up to represent England at the tournament.

Career statistics

Club

Honours

Chelsea

Academy

FA Youth Cup: 2021–22 PGA Cup: 2022–23 FA WSL Academy League Cup: 2023

Senior

FA Women's Super League: 2024–25 Women's FA Cup: 2024–25 FA Women's League Cup: 2024–25

International

U23 European Competition: 2025–26

Individual

Chelsea Women's Academy Player of the Year: 2023–24