Richie Myler reveals the real reason he left Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos have revealed their 2024 squad numbers ahead of what they hope will be a big year for the club.

But one man not included in their squad numbers is Richie Myler for the first time since 2018. Myler has won the number seven, number 16 and number one shirts whilst at Headingley but next year he will be wearing the black and yellow of York rather than the Blue and Amber of Leeds.

His exit came as a shock with the fullback having one year left on his deal and with Myler providing key cover to the spine.

Now though Myler has explained why he left with York proving to be too enticing of a move for the former Warrington Wolves playmaker: “In the nicest way, it’s probably been sped up 12 months. I had a conversation with Clint earlier in the year, just randomly getting to know him, just chatting away, seeing what York was all about. I was fascinated from the outside to see what the journey was that they were going on, and thinking long-term of what my career was going to do and coming towards the back end of my Leeds deal I was looking at what the next option potentially could be.

“We had a conversation about the club, just got to know about what the club was doing, what the vision was, and I was really excited by it. I thought the whole vision and drive that they want to achieve with York; and York as a city is crying out for that sporting success and that team to get behind, so I was really excited by all of that.”

He also revealed that the Rhinos wanted to keep him but with new players like Brodie Croft and Lachie Miller pushing him down the pecking order, Myler wanted a new challenge and prompted the move:

“My situation with Leeds changed a little bit towards the back end with some signings, and that just changed the dynamic. I totally understood it from their point of view, the club had to be seen to be doing the new signings and they’re great for them; but it just put my personal position in a bit of limbo in a sense. They said there was a role there for me and there was a role for them to stay, they didn’t want me to leave.

“It was more just a case of I wanted to challenge myself and I know me, I want to play. I want to be a part of something and feel a part of something in a sense. I think the conversation started there really and the more me and Clint spoke and the more I was excited by what there was, and then I had a chat with Hendo and his whole vision and what he saw the team doing and my role as such. It just excited me and I think it was almost all systems go from there really.”