Career
He plays as a midfielder. Donaldson joined his hometown club at age 9 and made his reserve team debut several months before his sixteenth birthday. After establishing himself in the reserves, he captained them to the fifth round of the 2009 FA Youth Cup where they lost out to Manchester City and also to a successful defence of the Northumberland Senior Cup.
After being promoted to the first team for the 2008-2009 season, Donaldson made the bench for a handful of games but did not manage to make an appearance.
He made his full debut when Chris Hughton handed him and several youngsters a starting role in the 22 September League Cup game away at Peterborough United. He continued playing regular football for the reserve team, and in the 2010–2011 season played in the 2nd round Football League Cup tie against Accrington Stanley in central midfield alongside Haris Vučkić.
On 24 January 2011, Donaldson joined Hartlepool United on a month-long loan. He made his debut the following day in a 1–1 draw with N ottinghamshire County.
On 25 February, Hartlepool extended Donaldson"s loan for a further month.
He was released by Newcastle United on 1 June 2012. On 17 August 2012, Donaldson signed for Conference National side Gateshead until 1 January 2013. He made his debut the following day as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Forest Green Rovers.
On 26 November 2012, Donaldson signed an extension to his contract until the end of the 2012-2013 season.
On 23 May 2013, Donaldson signed for Cambridge United on a two-year deal after his contract ended at Gateshead when the 12/13 came to a close. Donaldson scored twice in Cambridge"s 4–0 FA Trophy victory over Gosport Borough.
In the summer of 2007, Donaldson was called up to the England U17 squad and made his debut on 31 July at the Nordic Championships, helping them to a third-place finish. He took part in the Algarve Tournament the following summer and England"s unsuccessful 2008 European Championship qualifying campaign.
Donaldson was promoted to the U19"s and was an unused substitute for the first 2010 European Championship qualifier, making his debut in September 2009.
