Could Leeds Rhinos be set for transfer after surprise exit?

Leeds Rhinos have agreed a deal that will see 23 year old hooker Corey Johnson join Championship side Bradford Bulls on loan for this season.

Johnson featured 25 times for Rohan Smith’s side since making his debut in 2019 and also made four appearances on dual registration with the Bulls last season and in 2022.

Corey Johnson was promoted to the first team ahead of 2019 after an incredible debut season with the Academy. He joined the Academy from Castleford Lock Lane and only missed one game all season after converting from a half back to hooker.

In 2018 he agreed a new four year deal, however in 2020 he retired from professional rugby league to pursue other opportunities away from the sport.

Johnson returned to the Rhinos in 2021 and immediately signed for Championship side York City Knights on loan. He was recalled from that loan spell and added to Richard Agar’s squad for the final two league games of the season, before going on to feature five times during the 2022 campaign. The hooker also had a dual registration spell with Bradford during the season, where he made three appearances and scored a try in a win over Sheffield.

Although he got some game time at Bradford in 2023, most of Johnson’s time was spent in the Rhinos camp as he supported Academy team mate Jarrod O’Connor off the bench. In the 19-18 defeat to Hull KR at Headingley, he got his first Super League try for the Rhinos too.

Johnson was part of the team who played in the Academy Grand Final in 2018 and was then named in the England Academy side to face the Australian schoolboys. In 2017, Johnson was a try scorer in England Youth’s win over France at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Leeds Rhinos set to sign Bradford Bulls prop

According to Leeds Live, the Rhinos are interested in signing Bradford prop Daniel Okoro to boost their options in that position.

This move for Johnson could open the door for this move to be completed by the Rhinos as they look to add depth to their squad.

Now this movement could tweak the live salary cap and make a move for Okoro more likely to be completed.