Released Leigh Leopards forward pens deal to join ambitious Championship club

York Knights have confirmed the signing of former Leigh Leopards man Jacob Gannon ahead of next season. Gannon spent much of last season on loan with the Knights and after catching the eye with his performances he has now joined the club permanently.

He scored two tries in 18 appearances for the North Yorkshire outfit and after seeing his contract at the Leigh Sports Village come to an end, he will be hoping to impress at the LNER Community Stadium once more next season.

Gannon had two seasons with Leigh but failed to make a senior appearance for the club with his outings over the last couple of years coming while out on loan elsewhere. He started his career at Warrington Wolves, but in his short career so far he has represented York, Halifax Panthers, London Broncos and Rochdale Hornets.

“I’m really happy that Jacob has agreed a deal to stay, coming in from Leigh,” head coach Mark Applegarth said.

“Jacob’s another player I coached on the England Pathways and I think he’s got a really bright future ahead of him.

“He did a fantastic job covering the back row for us last year when we had a few injuries. I know he sees himself as a middle so I think he’s really going to make a mark this year and make the shirt his own.

“I’m delighted he’s signed up and I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”

In penning a deal with the Knights, Gannon becomes the sixth player York have signed ahead of the 2025 Championship season, with Paul McShane, Kieran Buchanan, Jacques O’Neill, Jude Ferreira and James Farrar making the move.

York finished fourth in the Championship last season, with Applegarth, who took the club’s head coach reins in June, taking them to the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs before eventually losing out to Wakefield Trinity.