We are delighted to announce the signing of defender Lucas Odunston who is well known to manager Mark Bower.

Guiseley’s new signing Lucas Odunston is certainly a player looking to go places and initially he hopes that is back to National League North with The Lions, writes Rachel O’Connor.

The right-back, signed on a two year deal, is hoping to get another chance with a Football League club after having his pro career at Hull City cut short by an ankle ligament injury.

The men he credits with getting him back on track are Mark Bower and Danny Boshell, Guiseley’s new managerial pair who gave him a chance at his last club Bradford (Park Avenue).

Born in Leeds Odunston was brought up in Adel and started playing football with his local club Leeds City Juniors.

He attracted the attention of Leeds United and played for their Academy from the age of seven to 18. He then signed a pro contract with Hull City but his time there was blighted by injury.

Of his switch to the non-league game at the age of 21 Odunston said: “When I was at my lowest Bows and Bosh showed confidence in me. They have been huge for me showing me the ropes as I made the transition to men’s football in non-league. I had only been in Academies before and I had had a hard time with injury, I was ruled out for two years.”

He added: “Coming out of Academies into men’s football it is a different ball game physically and mentally.

“They took a chance on me and helped me to progress and get the best out of me. After the first season Avenue got relegated and I was going to leave but they persuaded me to stay. I agreed because I wanted to re-pay them. They put my career back on track, I flourished under them.”

Back on track it is now with Odunston proving his fitness by recently completing the Leeds Marathon.

The 23 year-old still has ambitions of playing at a higher level saying: “I am still looking up the Pyramid and aiming to play full-time football again. That may come if I have two good seasons with Guiseley and help them get back to where they as a club want to be.

“When Mark rang me to ask me to come to Guiseley there was no hesitation from me. I have a lot to re-pay them for but also I want to be with a club with ambitions.

“Everyone at Guiseley seems to be on the same page and everyone I have spoken to says it is a great club so I am looking forward to playing for them. They are building a good squad and Bows and Bosh are good men, good people.”

Describing his own game Odunston said: “I am only small so I am not going to win every header but I do have a knack of reading the game which serves me well.”

Of Odunston’s signing manager Mark Bower said: “We have had Lucas previously at Avenue and he is a really good full-back. He is as good as anyone you will find in non-league football at one v ones. He is a reliable and consistent performer, has really good attributes and is incredibly fit.

“He is exactly the kind of player we are looking for and is certainly one who will progress through the levels and we hope that he does that with us.”

Lucas’ home kit is sponsored by Shield Transport Compliance Ltd and his away and training kits also fully sponsored. If you would like to sponsor another player please find out more here.