Daniel Sánchez Ayala (born 7 November 1990) is a Spanish professional footballer who last played as a centre-back for Potters Bar Town.

Born in El Saucejo, Seville, Andalusia, Ayala agreed a move to Liverpool in September 2007 after rejecting a professional contract with Sevilla, where he came through the youth team.

On 11 February 2011, Derby County finally signed Ayala on a loan deal until the end of the season, after the move was delayed due to the players hamstring injury which he picked up while playing for Hull City.

Ayala was handed the number 26 shirt, vacated by Steven Smith and was named in the squad for the Premier League fixture against Stoke City at Carrow Road on 21 August 2011.

Ayala suffered a knee injury in the League Cup defeat to Milton Keynes Dons ruling him out for two months.

[14] He bagged in his second goal for the club in his third appearance in their 2–2 draw with Watford, where he scored the equaliser in the final minute of added time.

[16] Ayala thus became recently appointed manager Aitor Karanka's first permanent signing for Middlesbrough, with the fee reported to be in the region of £350,000.

[22] On 22 October 2024, Ayala played for Potters Bar Town in an Alan Turvey Trophy loss against Cheshunt.