David Armstrong has opened up on why he rejected NRL offers to join Leigh Leopards ahead of the 2025 campaign. Armstrong was the first signing announced by Leigh ahead of this season, with the full-back agreeing to leave Newcastle Knights and pen a three-year deal with the Leopards.
His addition is seen as a huge coup for a club, with the 23-year-old scoring five tries in five NRL appearances last season for the Knights. Last season was the Australian’s first in the first-team picture at the McDonald Jones Stadium and while he did make a handful of outings he found himself firmly behind Kayln Ponga in Adam O’Brien’s pecking order.
That was unlikely to change going into this season, and while he did have other options, he felt a move to Super League would provide the best opportunity to progress and announce himself as a player.
“It was a big decision to come over here but deep down I knew it was the right one,” Armstrong told the Leigh Journal. “It was either that or wait behind Kalyn at the Knights.
🛬David Armstrong, arrived at Manchester Airport today and was picked up by his 2025 sponsor, @CatonLloydAV. pic.twitter.com/RIUXKaPQPA
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) November 20, 2024
“To get game time in first grade, I would have been waiting for an injury or something like that. So, I thought it would be better coming here and playing some top league footie week in, week out rather than reserve grade.
“I had other offers but it still would have been for a back-up role. I know I will still have to work for that spot here but it is a lot clearer run here for me to play first grade.”
Armstrong has been in training with the Leopards since arriving in England in November and he’ll hope to be able to hit the ground running with his new club when Adrian Lam’s side get the Super League season up and running against Wigan Warriors on February 13. He’s one of 10 new additions at the Leigh Sports Village, with Isaac Liu, Tesi Niu, Ryan Brown, Andrew Badrock, Alec Tuitavake, Ethan O’Neill, Will Brough, Brad Martin and AJ Towse also joining.
