On 17 August 2012, Donaldson turned down interest from League 1 and the SPL to sign for local Conference National side Gateshead until 1 January 2013 [REF].
On 23 May 2013, Donaldson chose to leave Gateshead and signed for Cambridge United on a two-year deal when the 12/13 came to a close, thus reuniting with his former Newcastle academy director Richard Money.