Leeds Rhinos sign Wakefield Trinity man in surprise move

Leeds Rhinos have been active in the transfer market in recent days and weeks.

With Zak Hardaker joining and Oliver Gildart heavily linked, head coach Rohan Smith is certainly putting his stamp on the Headingley outfit.

The departures of Alex Mellor, Jack Broadbent and Jack Walker, the Rhinos are rearranging the salary cap in a bid to snap up more players – and they have done just that this morning with the capture of Wakefield Trinity forward Yusuf Aydin who has joined on a two-week loan.

🗞️ Yusuf Aydin has joined @leedsrhinos on a two-week loan deal.

Good luck and rip in, @aydin_george 💪 pic.twitter.com/GBxUhDRU4S

— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) July 14, 2022

The Rhinos are without front rowers Matt Prior, Zane Tetevano, Tom Holroyd and Muizz Mustapha through suspension this week and have brought the Turkish international prop straight into the 21 man squad to travel to France this weekend.

Aydin’s father is Turkish – born in the southwestern city of Marmaris – which opened the door for him to make his international debut in 2019. A former Eastmoor Dragons amateur he came through the scholarship and academy ranks at Wakefield Trinity before making his Super League debut in 2020. He made further appearances last season and has played six games for Trinity this year in Super League as well as loan spells at York City Knights and Sheffield Eagles in the Championship. He will wear squad number 34 for the Rhinos.

Commenting on joining up with the Rhinos, Aydin said, “The lads have been great in welcoming me into the Rhinos camp and I am looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I can impress Rohan and get some minutes under my belt. There is an opportunity for me here and I will be doing everything I can to make the most of it. I have experience of joining teams on loan having gone to Sheffield and York in recent years so it doesn’t daunt me coming into a team and getting to know a new set of lads and hopefully I can help the Rhinos as well.”