The club say 21-year-old second-rower Morgan Gannon will leave when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season, after rejecting a “substantial” contract offer.
Gannon is set to join NRL outfit New Zealand Warriors where Richard Agar – who gave him his Leeds debut in 2021 – is an assistant-coach.
Halifax-born Gannon has played 59 times for Leeds Rhinos, but missed the entire 2024 campaign because of concussion.
“Lure of the NRL” – Leeds Rhinos’ sporting director confirms Gannon’s exit
Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease admitted: “We are extremely disappointed to be losing a young player who the club has put so much time and effort into developing.
“In particular, Brad [Arthur] and all the coaches have worked with Morgan this year to bring him to a level after missing all of last season.
“I have been speaking to Morgan and his manager for a number of months now, trying to agree a new deal and I have made a substantial offer that represents how highly we regard Morgan and were looking for him to fully commit to the Rhinos after the way the club looked after him last year.
“Before my time here, I know the Rhinos have always had Morgan’s best interests at heart, especially during the period when he was overcoming his concussion issues.
“However, we do understand the lure of the NRL, especially for young players and that is a significant challenge not just for the Rhinos but also Super League as a whole.”
Blease added: “Professional sport means you have to accept that sometimes things will not always go as you planned, however we remain committed to bringing through our young players and rewarding them for their hard work and commitment to build our squad for the future.
“That has always been the key to success at the Rhinos. Morgan is a professional and mature young man and I am sure he will give his all for the Rhinos for the remainder of the season and look to leave the club in the best possible manner.”
What Morgan Gannon said about his NRL move
Leeds Rhinos and Morgan Gannon have confirmed that the 21-year-old will leave AMT Headingley at the end of the current Betfred Super League season after rejecting a substantial contract offer by the club.
More here https://t.co/9MRB0YGGEH pic.twitter.com/zTzfTHouIq— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) April 24, 2025
Gannon, whose father Jim is Australian, insisted: “This is a great opportunity for me and one I had to take.
“I have spent time in Australia with my dad’s family and I know how big the game is over there.
“I would like to thank the Rhinos for everything they have done to support me and the offer they made to me.
“This move is nothing to do with money, it is something I want to challenge myself with.
“Leeds is my club and I never had any intention of going to any other Super League club.
“I am excited about what we can achieve as a group this season and I want to play my part in that.”
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