How new signing Leon Ruan has been involved with Leeds Rhinos for some time even heading into the Grand Final

This morning, Leeds Rhinos announced the signing of Leon Ruan.

The Doncaster forward follows Luke Hooley from the lower tiers to the Rhinos as Rohan Smith puts his faith in young, Championship stars to be the next evolution of the Leeds squad that got to the Grand Final in 2022.

It’s turning out to be an interesting squad at Headingley for 2023, and Ruan is an exciting edition but what fans might not know is that Ruan has actually been with the Rhinos for months now rather than being an all together new signing.

Ruan may have only just signed on at Headingley with a three-year deal, but in actual fact he has been on trial with the Rhinos for a while now even playing a part in Leeds’ Grand Final week going with the squad to Old Trafford despite having to also focus on working with Doncaster and trying to get them promoted as they got to the League 1 play-off final against Swinton.

Nonetheless, now a full time Rhino, Ruan is excited as he said: “It has been an unreal experience so far, training with the Rhinos and getting to know them, it has been a bonus to be in that environment and I can’t wait to get started properly. I was part of the group at the Grand Final the other week and to get a taste of an occasion like that was brilliant. To get to a Grand Final and be part of it is what we all play rugby for. That experience has certainly encouraged my appetite and I want to help the team get there again in the years to come. 

“Doncaster have been a massive part of my career to get where I am and have the chance to sign at Leeds. The coaches, staff and players have helped me and pushed me to find out about myself physically and mentally, without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

He emphasised that this is a dream come true as he gets his Super League shot: “My plan was always to try and get a shot at Super League. I wanted to get game time and the experience against men which Doncaster offered me. I have always backed my potential and it has been a journey to get to where I want to be. I am looking forward to a big off season, so I can hit the ground running, grow physically and settle into the squad.”