Exclusive: Reported Super League transfer WILL NOT happen

Leeds Rhinos have completed plenty of transfer business ahead of the 2024 Super League season.

They have drafted in Lachie Miller, Paul Momirvoski and former Huddersfield Giants halfback Matt Frawley in from the NRL. They have also made some top tier signings from rival Super League clubs. They have signed Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers for a combined fee of £300,000. The Rhinos’ first signing meanwhile came from Catalans Dragons in the shape of Mickael Goudemand.

Serious About Rugby League understands that Leeds are still interested in some doing some further business but that business will likely be determined by further outgoings.

The Rhinos could be interested in signing a prop whilst an outside back will be required should former Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils winger Derrell Olpherts leave the club.

He was originally linked with a move to Bradford Bulls and has more recently been linked with a move to Leigh Leopards by Leeds Live.

Serious About Rugby League now understands that this move will not take place with Olpherts keen to remain at Headingley after signing a two year deal with the club last year.

Speaking to Serious About Rugby League previously, Olpherts revealed how the transfer happened: “My agent just rung me up one day and said Leeds are interested in you, they want to have a meeting – it came out of the blue really.

“I met with Rohan Smith when he was Bradford coach the year I signed at Salford, they were interested in me back then so I knew he liked me as a player. Because I’d already met him before I knew what he was like and I followed his career in Australia because one of mates played for his team, Norths Devils.

“So when my agent said that I was pretty excited, it’s Leeds Rhinos at the end of the day, I wanted to see what he had to say, it’s a huge club, one of the biggest in the world.”

Olpherts featured sporadically throughout the 2023 Super League season on the wing scoring on debut against Warrington Wolves.

“We had the meeting and what he was saying is stuff I’ve had in my head all a long about wanting to get better and then the deal just got made after that,” added Olpherts.

“I couldn’t be happier to be honest. You always want to feel like you are progressing in your career and I do feel it’s a step up to a club that have serious credentials.

“My aim, like Leeds as a club, is to win trophies and I think the Rhinos are a team who would class any season without silverware as a disappointment – that’s the kind of club I want to be at.”