Leeds Rhinos confirm long-serving forward’s exit

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that forward James Donaldson will leave the club at the end of the season after spending six years with the club.

The 32-year-old was off-contract and it was unclear if he would be offered a new deal but instead, he has taken the decision to step away from full-time rugby league to focus on another career.

Leeds Rhinos confirmed that Donaldson will pursue his career as a quantity surveyor after calling time on his Headingley career.

It is unclear if he will retire, with both the club’s and players’ statements confirming an end to his full-time rugby league career, possibly keeping the door open for a part-time role with a Championship side.

Leeds Rhinos posted on X: “Leeds Rhinos forward James Donaldson, 32, has announced he will leave the club after six seasons at AMT Headingley to pursue his career as a Quantity Surveyor outside of full time Rugby League at the end of the current season.”

Forward to leave Leeds Rhinos

Donaldson made the move to Leeds Rhinos from Hull KR after the end of the 2018 season, initially on a trial basis before then earning a full-time contract.

The forward had his testimonial game in pre-season with Leeds Rhinos facing Hull KR. During his time with the Rhinos, he has made 112 appearances, winning a Challenge Cup and appearing in the 2022 Grand Final.

Leeds Rhinos shared a statement, explaining: “Whilst at the Rhinos, the club have supported Donaldson to return to education and gained his degree in quantity surveying at Leeds Beckett University, studying full time alongside his training and playing commitments with the club.”

Now, Donaldson, has said: “This has been a tough decision but Leeds will always be my club and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I have had as a Rhinos player. Since I’ve come to the club, it’s changed my life in so many ways, whether it’s on or off the field. We have got a big end to the season ahead and I will be doing everything I can to make sure we finish the season in the best possible manner. I will always be available to support the boys but this is an opportunity to start the next chapter.

“During my career, I’ve always tried to let my hard work do the talking. I moved away from home at 16, dedicated all my life to rugby. I’m really proud that I stuck in there and feel like the achievements I have enjoyed have been on the back of that hard work.

“When I first joined Leeds, I found out that the Rhinos have a great connection with Leeds Beckett University. When I was younger, I never envisioned that I’d go to university, never in a million years, but it is something I’m really proud of. When the opportunity came to go to uni while playing, I immediately made the most of it. I had found out the hard way that you have to have a plan for life after rugby. I decided to do a three year degree in quantity surveying but I wanted to do it full time whilst still training so I could get it done as quickly as possible.

“Since graduating, I have been working one day a week with Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) in Leeds as an Assistant Cost Manager. I was introduced to the company through my degree and a connection to the Rhinos, that led to an opportunity to work with the company whilst I was still qualifying and things have progressed from there. I am looking forward to the next stage of my career now working full time within the business,”