Leigh Leopards set to miss out on overseas target

Leigh Leopards have seen three overseas players confirmed as exiting the club at the end of the 2024 season but they’ve now missed out on another of their overseas targets.

The Leopards are set to lose four of their seven quota players with John Asiata heading to Hull FC, Tom Amone to Canterbury Bulldogs, Kai O’Donnell to North Queensland Cowboys and previous confirmation that Ricky Leutele would not be offered a new contract.

Centre Ricky Leutele was one of the biggest names in Super League to feature on the list of off-contract players confirmed not to have been offered a new deal with Hull FC-bound Ed Chamberlain another on that list.

That means Leigh will definitely have four quota spots available with the off-contract Ben Nakubuwai expected to be replaced by released Melbourne Storm forward Aaron Pene in the coming weeks.

It means Leigh Leopards have scope for plenty of NRL signings but after missing out on David Armstrong, Derek Beaumont’s side looks to have missed out on another NRL star.

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leigh players?

Leigh Leopards linked man set to sign for Souths

That man is loose forward Jack de Belin with the Papua New Guinea international also able to play prop, two positions that Leigh Leopards are set to require additions at in 2025.

de Belin had previously been told by current side St George Illawarra Dragons that he was free to look for a deal elsewhere, prompting the former State of Origin player to hint that he may be destined for Super League.

He had told NRL media: “Footy careers are a short thing and you’ve got to cash in and make the most of it while you can,” adding that the decision to move to Super League was something that he had to “weigh up”.

However, per the Sydney Morning Herald, de Belin could have suitors down under with South Sydney Rabbitohs the favourites to land the loose forward’s services.

The Herald reported: “South Sydney have emerged as a potential destination for off-contract St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin.”

They did also clarify that the Dragons had offered de Belin a one-year deal but the player was “open to longer, more lucrative offers elsewhere”, despite his preference to remain a one-club man.

de Belin has played for St George since his debut in 2011, racking up 2018 appearances across his career. He’s also represented New South Wales in State of Origin and debuted for Papua New Guinea, alongside several Leigh Leopards players, late in 2023.

Reports that he will head to Souths mark another blow for Leigh Leopards who have missed out on David Armstrong, Newcastle Knights’ young full-back, who appears set to sign a contract extension at the club.