Collingwood's Mason Cox is seeking Australian citizenship as he looks to build his future in Australia.
After signing a three-year deal at the end of this season, the 26-year-old American has set his sights on making his new home permanent.Â
![Mason Cox hits the track in pre-season.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171109193147im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/h/6/x/0/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gzh41h.png/1510112271392.jpg)
"I want to stay in Australia long term so I'm in the process of trying to get citizenship," Cox said.Â
He expects to be granted permanent residency soon and then will wait for between one and three years to find out whether his application to become an Australian citizen has been successful.Â
"I might find a 'missus' sometime and settle down," Cox joked.
"Time will tell, I guess, and we'll go from there but the long-term plan is to start investing in Australia and really set myself up to spend the rest of my life here."Â
Born in Texas, Cox began playing with Collingwood in 2014 after a college basketball career. The American made his AFL debut on Anzac Day, 2016 and has played 20 games with the Magpies.Â
Other AFL clubs courted Cox before the end of the season, with the Brisbane Lions showing significant interest.
It took several conversations with Magpies' president Eddie McGuire, newly appointed coach Nathan Buckley and skipper Scott Pendlebury for Cox to be convinced his best option was to remain with Collingwood.Â
"I feel confident with what they are doing with me and where the future is going to lead," Cox said.Â
Collingwood have indicated they plan to trial Darcy Moore as a key defender during this year's pre-season, which would give Cox an opportunity to play forward and give relief to Brodie Grundy in the ruck.Â
He said exciting forward Jamie Elliott would not meet with the leadership group until he returns on November 20 after he received a fine for urinating in a bin in North Melbourne in the early hours of Sunday morning.Â