Ready to get back on track with Bradford City
The Sheffield-born custodian did it tough last season on the back of a relegation to League Two with Northampton Town and a fraught first half of the campaign at Rotherham United, where he was on the periphery.
It followed a difficult time towards the end of his spell at Bristol City, whom he left to join the Millers in early 2017.
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Hide AdO’Donnell, 29, who started his career at Sheffield Wednesday, hopes to have now found sanctuary at City after signing for a club who he is almost joined in 2015.
The goalkeeper, who has agreed a two-year-deal after exercising a relegation-release clause at Northampton, said: “It is a fresh start and opportunity and I am looking forward to getting going.
“Last season was tough. I am someone who enjoys playing football week in, week out and to find myself in a situation where the manager tells me I am not in his plans, I am not the type of guy who wants to sit around and just pick up a wage.
“The clubs I left recently were because I have wanted to play football. Northampton was a little bit different with the situation with relegation.
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Hide Ad“I was disappointed about what happened. It was a club who should not have been in that position.
“But everyone at the club was fantastic with me. It was not as easy as just saying: ‘I want to leave.’ I left with a heavy heart.
“But it is nice to be back in Yorkshire. It is a massive club and one I have been wanting to play at for a few years and I am delighted I have finally got the chance to come and play here.
“There were other options where I could have been financially better off, but I feel I am at an age where I just want to play.
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Hide Ad“In my eyes, this club deserves to be playing in a higher league.”
Valley Parade holds some pleasurable memories for O’Donnell, who made his debut there for the Cobblers in their 2-1 league win in January and he is hopeful of plenty more positive ones in the season ahead.
He added: “It was a good memory and I quite enjoyed that one. But I have always enjoyed playing here and when you walk out at Valley Parade, you get that buzz as there are so many people there and it does not feel like a League One match.
“Whether you are with the home or away team, it is a terrific place to play.”
Midfielder Timothee Dieng has joined Southend United on a two-year deal after rejecting fresh terms at City.