Ryan Donaldson joins Blyth Spartans

We are pleased to announce that Ryan Donaldson has joined Blyth Spartans following the expiration of his contract with Morpeth Town.

The 33-year-old has spent the last three seasons playing for Northern Premier League Premier Division club, Morpeth Town, where he has featured 100 times for The Highwaymen.

Before that, Donaldson had spells at Hartlepool United, Plymouth Argyle, Cambridge United and Gateshead, between 2012 and 2021.

He is a graduate of the Newcastle Academy, where he featured for the Toon Army regularly in the matchday squad and made two appearances in 2009 during their EFL Championship title-winning campaign.

Donaldson has also been capped for England at under-17 and under-19 level during their UEFA European Championship qualification campaigns between 2007 and 2009.

On the arrival of Donaldson, Director of Football, Steve Howard said: "Ryan is a fantastic signing for us.

"Ryan is a player with experience at a high level so his quality and his work rate is immense which is exactly the team ethos we are trying to create here at Blyth Spartans."

On his arrival at Croft Park, Ryan said: "I'm delighted to join, I know how big of a club they are in the North-East.

"They've had a tough couple of years, but I don't see why I can't be part of the squad that turns it around and have a more successful season on the pitch and that's certainly going to be the plan.

"I'm really looking forward to it with a new manager and I know a few of the players already, so I can't wait to get started."

Welcome to Blyth, Ryan!