Defender Luke O’Brien has turned down the chance to stay at Oxford United and signed a contract at Conference side Gateshead. The 24-year-old’s current deal at the Kassam Stadium expired at the end of last season, but he was offered a new contract alongside Scott Davies and Deane Smalley last month.

Left-back O’Brien was thought to have been grateful to the club for offering an extended stay with the Us, but the former Bradford City defender has penned a deal with Anth Smith’s side in the Blue Square Premier for the forthcoming campaign.

After making 18 appearances for the Yellows last season, Luke explained the chance to join a club where he could be much closer to his young family up north was too good of an offer to turn down:

“It’s closer to home and I’ll be able to travel up on the day most of the time.

“There’s nothing wrong with being at Oxford, I got offered another deal but it was just too hard doing the travelling and being away from my family” O’Brien added.

Meanwhile, manager Chris Wilder has already started preparations for his squad next season with the addition of AFC Bournemouth full-back Jonathan Meades on a two-year deal. It is also reported that United are attempting to seal a deal for Scunthorpe United left-back Callum Kennedy. Boss Brian Law’s is determined to raise funds for summer recruits after seeing his side suffer relegation from Division Three last season, and is willing to allow the ex-Swindon Town defender to return south after making 18 appearances for the Iron last year.