Leigh Leopards tie down rising star to two-year extension

Leigh Leopards have managed to retain one of their budding young talents to a new two-year deal with the club confirming that Umyla Hanley will remain a Leopard until the end of the 2026 season.

It’s a major piece of retainment for Leigh Leopards with Hanley having been thrust into the limelight this season after Tom Briscoe’s injury and it’s an opportunity that the 22-year-old has seized.

The necessity to tie Hanley down increased even further after Briscoe’s return to his home club Hull FC and Leigh have moved quickly to secure the winger’s services for a further two years.

It’s a deal that goes some way to kickstarting the club’s retention with Leigh having a whopping 19 players off contract, including Hanley’s fellow winger Josh Charnley.

Leigh Leopards confirm Hanley extension

Hanley, son of Rugby League legend Ellery, debuted for Wigan Warriors in the 2020 season but would only go on to make a handful of appearances in his two years at the DW Stadium.

He made the switch to Leigh ahead of the 2023 season, reuniting with old Wigan boss Adrian Lam, but it’s only in 2024 that he has announced himself as the next hot prospect.

Hanley currently has ten tries in just eight games this season, failing to score in just two of those eight games whilst bagging two hattricks as well.

That tally of six tries in Super League is even more impressive when you consider he didn’t get an opportunity until Round Four but since then he has played in every game for the Leopards.

Leigh Leopards confirmed his extension with a statement posted to their website that read: “Leigh Leopards are delighted to confirm that Umyla Hanley has signed a two-year contract extension until the end of the 2026 season.

“The 22-year-old winger has scored ten tries already this season including back-to-back hat-tricks against Featherstone Rovers and Salford Red Devils.”

“Leigh is like my second family”

Hanley will be hoping to celebrate his contract extension with a win and potentially more tries when the Leopards host Castleford Tigers tomorrow at the Leigh Sports Village.

Leigh Leopards’ Head of Rugby Chris Chester had plenty to say about the deal, praising the 22-year-old for his patience in developing behind veterans Charnley and Briscoe, whilst being ready to seize the opportunity afforded to him through injury.

Chester said: “Umyla has been outstanding this year and it’s very exciting to have the prospect of watching his development at close quarters.

“In his first year at our club in 2023, he found his opportunities limited due to the great form of Josh Charnley and Tom Briscoe.

“Umyla came back on the first day of pre-season with a great attitude and was one of our pre-eminent trainers over the winter. He’s now reaping the rewards of all that hard work.”

Hanley himself added: “I’m made up to re-sign at Leigh, and I can’t thank the staff and the lads enough.

“This is like my second family and I’m looking forward to making more memories with them on the pitch and to bringing more success to this great club.”