O’Donnell had to leave Kenilworth Road

The 22-year-old featured just twice in the league for Hatters as they won the Conference title, joining Hyde on loan and then finishing the season at Gateshead.

He has since moved to the Tynesiders permanently for a small fee and said: “I just want to play football and I didn’t feel at Luton I would be able to play every week.

“I’m happy to play in the Conference South, Conference North, I just want to play, I’m not happy to be sitting in the stand.

“When the possibility to come back to Gateshead became a very real possibility, I knew that playing under Gary Mills I would have a chance and performance related, I would play every week.

“I didn’t feel at Luton I would play every week, and that was the main factor in me coming back.”

Still had confirmed he wanted O’Donnell to remain at Kenilworth Road to fight for a place, but the former St Albans man felt it better to head north.

The former St Albans player had been one of the first names on the teamsheet at times under previous boss Paul Buckle, but felt he didn’t into the current manager’s style of play.

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