Leeds Rhinos signing Zak Hardaker reveals how long he had been trying to move away from Wigan Warriors

Zak Hardaker is now a Leeds Rhinos player – something which never seemed possible barely a month ago.

After leaving Headingley under a cloud at the end of the 2016 Super League season, Hardaker made the switch to Castleford Tigers and then Wigan Warriors.

Though he was dropped for ‘dipping’ below standards by Wigan boss Matty Peet, few thought that would transpire into a move away.

However, he parted ways with the Warriors a week after that incident and was snapped up by Leeds within days of that happening.

For Hardaker, though, a move away from Lancashire is one that he has been hankering for for a year.

“The way I left Wigan wasn’t the way I wanted to leave the club but I would like to thank everyone there for the opportunity to play for Wigan,” Hardaker said.

“This started last year when I wanted to get a chance to come home back to Yorkshire with my family.

“I have got that opportunity thankfully with Leeds and I can’t wait to play in those Friday night games in front of a packed South Stand again.”

It remains to be see whether Hardaker will be given his second debut for the club on Friday night against Hull KR, but it sure is a blast from the past if he does.