Leigh Leopards forward departs club in major transfer

Leigh Leopards have lost one of their key players with the confirmation that forward Tom Amone will leave the club.

Amone has been a revelation for Leigh since signing for the club in 2022, helping them to promotion and Challenge Cup glory.

He was named in the Super League Dream Team last season as the Leopards finished in the play-off places in Super League, the first time a newly-promoted side has achieved that feat.

Now 27, Amone has been on the radar of a number of clubs in Super League and the NRL. After a number of discussions, he’s secured his future from 2025 after signing with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The NRL side confirmed the signing of Amone earlier today on a two-year deal, another blow for Leigh who are set to lose a number of key players at the end of this season.

“Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are pleased to announce the signing of prop, Tom Amone who will join the Bulldogs on a two-year term commencing in 2025,” a statement read.

It continued: “The Leigh Leopards forward announced to teammates earlier today that he would be rejoining the NRL at the end of the Super League season.

“Amone adds much needed depth to the Bulldogs forward pack, a powerful prop who has spent the past two seasons playing in England forging a name for himself as one of the Super League’s most damaging ballcarriers.”

Leigh Leopards lose another star player

It’s going to be a period of rebuild at the Leigh Sports Village, with the majority of players that helped the club taste Challenge Cup glory at Wembley last year moving on at the conclusion of the current campaign.

Club captain John Asiata was the most notable exit up until the confirmed departure of Amone. Asiata will join Super League rivals Hull FC on a three-year deal.

Oliver Holmes and Zak Hardaker have also reportedly joined Hull for next season, with a whole host of other names also coming to the end of their contracts and expected to move on.

On a positive note, Leigh have perhaps secured the future of their most important asset after head coach Adrian Lam signed a new contract to stay at the club earlier this week.

Lam’s three-year deal keeps him at the club until at least the end of 2027, a deal that will surely make it easier for the Leopards to attract new players in the coming weeks for the 2025 season and beyond.