Luton Town Football Club

Forward John McAtee arrived at Kenilworth Road in August 2022 from Grimsby Town in a deal that saw him return to the Mariners on loan.

McAtee started his youth career with Shrewsbury Town in 2015 and was handed his Football League debut on the final day of the 2016/17 season by then Shrews’ manager Paul Hurst.  

He then gained experience during loan spells in Non-League football with Halesowen Town, AFC Telford United, Ashton United and Curzon Ashton before being released at the end of the 2018/19 season.  

McAtee joined up with Hurst again at League Two side Scunthorpe United, where he scored his first league goal in January 2020 – an equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Bradford City.

He would score four times for Scunthorpe before opting to sign for local rivals Grimsby on a two-year deal, reuniting with manager Hurst for the third time in his career.  

McAtee scored on his Mariners debut in a 1-0 win over Weymouth and was awarded Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in his first season in Cleethorpes. 

He found the net 16 times in all competitions, including the opener in the National League play-off final against Solihull Moors to help send Grimsby back to the Football League.