Leeds Rhinos sign Richie Myler

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed the signing of Catalans scrum-half Richie Myler on a three-year deal from 2018.

Myler joined the Dragons prior to the 2016 season from Warrington after falling out of favour with Wolves head coach Tony Smith.

The 27-year-old started his career at Widnes before moving to Salford where he impressed during two seasons, scoring 38 tries in 53 games.

This resulted in Warrington breaking the bank to sign the talented youngster for £200,000, making him the most expensive teenage signing in Rugby League history.

Myler was never deemed a favourite of Tony Smith at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and was dropped from the Wolves team for the 2010 Challenge Cup Final against Leeds.

He did however feature in the side that won the Challenge Cup against the Rhinos two years later and he also scored a try in the 2012 Grand Final defeat to Brian McDermott’s side.

Since joining Catalans, Myler has impressed in the South of France but has played in a struggling team that looks set to feature in the Qualifiers at the end of this season.

“I am delighted to have signed for the Rhinos and can’t wait to get started when I join up with the boys at the end of the season,” Myler told the Rhinos website.

“It is the perfect move for me and my family and we are all very much looking forward to it. I had a number of chats with Brian McDermott about the direction the club is going in and his thought process about what I could offer to the Rhinos.

“It was important to know the way the team is going and that Brian wanted me as part of that. It was really appealing to me and the best fit for me as a player.

“Leeds is a big club and a club that is always fighting for silverware and at the top of the league.  I have loved my time in the South of France. It is a beautiful part of the world and Catalans Dragons have been amazing with me and my family.

“We have made friends for life and I have enjoyed my time in Perpignan. But it is now the right time for us to move home to England and this was the best opportunity for me.

“This was the one that I was really excited about and when the chance came to join the Rhinos it was too good an opportunity to turn down,” added Myler.

Speaking on his new signing, Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott was pleased to have secured the services of Myler, who has six caps for England to his name.

“We are pleased to have secured a player of Richie’s quality and experience to the club,” McDermott said.

“Having spoken to him over the past few weeks, I have been impressed by his determination to succeed. Given the nature of the sport now in the salary cap era, when a player like Richie becomes available there is going to be a lot of interest in him.

“I am sure he received many very good offers however it was telling for me that he committed to the Rhinos because he believes in what we are trying to achieve here.”