Defender Alan White returns to Kenilworth Road nine years after leaving hoping that next season's adventure in the Conference is the first and last of his career.

The 33-year-old centre-half - who agreed a two year contract with the Hatters after negotiating his release from Darlington - has never played non-league football before and believes with the squad Mick Harford is building he won't playing for there for long.

"I think anyone who knows Mick knows that he's got ambition," White exclusively told lutontown.co.uk.

"He's been able to keep the likes of Kevin Nicholls, George Pilkington, Kevin Gallen and Tom Craddock and bring in players like Liam Hatch who don't want to play for a club without ambition.

"They are good players, so that tells you the club is going forward. It's not a static club, it's got ambitions, it's a solid club that is going to go a long way in the future.

"If we get a good start and get some good crowds in then there's no reason why we shouldn't go straight back up. That's the plan.

"Promotion's the target and that's what we'll get I'm sure."

White, who appeared in Town colours 93 times in a three year period after signing for £40,000 from Middlesbrough in 1997, was pleased to be back in familiar surroundings at the club where he established his career.

"I'm chuffed to bits," he said. "It's 12 years since I first signed here but it seems like it was only five minutes ago, it's great to be back.

"They've got the same faces around here when I was here the first time and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in.

"I was 21 when I came down here and had never played a league game before. All I was used to was reserve team football.

"It was a big move for me and a big culture shock. It was strange playing against men and a bit of a shock to the system but I'm a different player now.

"I've had 10 years playing in Leagues 1 and 2 and I've been learning the game and toughing up."

Having dotted the I's crossed the T's on his contract, the Darlington-born defender is eager to get going to help the Town achieve their target.

He said: "I can't wait. It's one of those things: you look forward to the summer and then the moment the summer arrives you can't wait to get back and start training again.

"You just want to get back to what you're good at. We're back on 1st July. It will be nice to meet the lads and hopefully it will be the start of a successful season."