Ex-Leeds Rhinos man secures Championship deal after Headingley exit

Sheffield Eagles have announced the signing of former Leeds Rhinos hooker Corey Johnson ahead of the 2025 season. Johnson has penned a two-year deal with the Eagles, ensuring he will be with the Championship side until the end of the 2026 season at the very least.

Johnson has joined the Eagles following his release by Leeds, where he has spent his entire career to date. The 23-year-old came through the youth ranks at Headingley and made 29 appearances for the club, with his most productive year coming in 2023 when he made 18 outings in blue and amber.

He struggled for opportunities this season, though, making just four appearances off the bench during a turbulent period of the West Yorkshire club. As such, he was allowed to leave without the offer of a new deal, and he has now taken up an opportunity with the Eagles.

Johnson is no stranger to the second tier, of course, having enjoyed a number of loan moves to the Championship over his short career to date. He represented Featherstone Rovers in 2019 before spells came with York Knights, Bradford Bulls and Halifax Panthers and he’ll be looking to kick on in South Yorkshire next season and propel the club back towards the top end of the Championship table.

“Really excited for this next chapter @SheffieldEagles! Can’t wait to get started and rip in for a big season next year,” Johnson wrote on X following the announcement of the deal.

The hooker was one of nine players to be released by Leeds Rhinos at the end of the season as Brad Arthur looks to make his mark and shape his squad going into 2025. He left the club alongside Rhyse Martin, David Fusitu’a, Luis Roberts, Kieran Hudson and James Donaldson, while Paul Momirovski, Mickael Goudemand and Justin Sangare were all released from their contracts early last month.