Leyton Orient and Dean Cox part ways by mutual consent, but O’s winger can’t join another Football League club until January

Dean Cox celebrates his goal for Leyton Orient against Stevenage on August 16 (pic: Simon O'Connor) Simon O'Connor Photography

Brisbane Road club release 34-word statement to confirm talented winger has left O’s after spending over six years in east London

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Leyton Orient's Dean Cox puts his foot in against Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). Leyton Orient's Dean Cox puts his foot in against Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).

Leyton Orient have confirmed this evening fans favourite Dean Cox has left the club by mutual consent.

The 29-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Brisbane Road yesterday the final day of the transfer deadline day.

A transfer to League One outfit Northampton Town was mooted, but is understood to have fallen through at the last minute.

But Cox isn’t remaining with the O’s which was confirmed by the east Londoners in the following statement, it read: “The club and Dean Cox have mutually agreed to terminate Dean’s contract.

“We would like to thank Dean for his service to the club and we wish him all the best in the future.”

Cox moved to Orient in the summer of 2010 and linked up with old Brighton boss Russell Slade in the process.

The diminutive winger quickly endeared himself to the O’s supporters as he hit double figures in his first campaign.

Dean Cox celebrates scoring for Leyton Orient during their League One play-off semi-final second leg against Peterborough United at Brisbane Road (pic: Simon O'Connor). Dean Cox celebrates scoring for Leyton Orient during their League One play-off semi-final second leg against Peterborough United at Brisbane Road (pic: Simon O'Connor).

More success followed in the next two seasons for the east Londoners number seven and he attracted interest from elsewhere.

But Cox remained loyal to Orient and enjoyed a sensational 2013/14 campaign as O’s come so close to promotion.

The ex-Seagulls ace scored 17 times to help the Brisbane Road outfit reach the League One play-off final.

Cox netted at Wembley against Rotherham Town as well, but Slade’s side suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat.

Francesco Becchetti took control of the club the following summer and the next season was a difficult one for everybody associated with Orient.

With four different managers used throughout the campaign, Cox could only score five times as O’s were relegated to League Two.

After an impressive start to last season, the fans favourite suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in November and missed seven months of football.

Dean Cox shows his emotion after Leyton Orient's League One play-off final defeat to Rotherham United at Wembley in May 2014 (pic: Simon O'Connor). Dean Cox shows his emotion after Leyton Orient's League One play-off final defeat to Rotherham United at Wembley in May 2014 (pic: Simon O'Connor).

Orient’s number seven returned, however, and has demonstrated he is getting back to his best this year.

Cox scored a header on August 16 during a 3-0 win over Stevenage in League Two and has registered two assists already during the current campaign.

But the 29-year-old has now been forced out by the east Londoners and Saturday’s clash with Mansfield Town was his last appearance for O’s.

It is a disappointing way for Cox to bring his time at Brisbane Road to a close and a large majority of supporters will not be pleased about his departure.

What makes things worst for the talented winger is the decision was made after the 11pm transfer deadline on Wednesday night.

Therefore Cox is unable to join another Football League club until the winter window reopens again in January 2017.

After his loyalty to Orient in recent seasons, including turning down a move to Peterborough United, he never deserved to see his spell with the O’s end like this.

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