From tomorrow, Leigh Leopards, along with all Super League clubs, will be able to sign players ahead of the 2025 season.
It was a tough start to the season for the Leopards, winning just one of their first seven games – against struggling Hull FC – but their huge 30-2 victory over then-leaders Catalans Dragons showed that they may now be heading in the right direction again, after their Challenge Cup victory in 2023.
Konrad Hurrell is one player we’ve already tipped as a potential suitor for next year, with the centre amongst the high-profile names set to be available to move.
However, if that doesn’t happen, here are three other options that Derek Beaumont and Adrian Lam may look to recruit.
Three players Leigh Leopards could look to sign for 2025
Matthieu Laguerre
Credit: Imago Images
Two of the big-name off-contract players for Leigh Leopards ahead of 2025 are Ricky Leutele and Zak Hardaker, two centres.
Therefore, it makes sense that a centre will be their number one target ahead of next year.
Matthieu Laguerre is a top centre at Catalans Dragons, and Leigh may be able to make the most of Catalans’ reported financial woes going forward, and being able to lure him away from Els Dracs.
He’s scored 18 tries in 32 Super League games – an excellent output.
He’d fill what seems like it’ll be a huge hole within the squad if he did indeed swap Perpignan for Leigh ahead of next year.
Willie Isa
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Arguably one of the biggest off-contract names for 2025, Isa is a player that every Super League club should be interested in.
Able to play in a number of forward roles, as well as centre or winger, it’s a smart move, no matter the specific needs of any team that manage to pick him up.
This year, they’ve not been able to bring in huge names, due to the salary cap, according to Beaumont, restricting the club from spending.
However, since four overseas players off-contract next year, this may cease to be an issue, making it possible for the club to make a statement signing: Willie Isa would be one of the biggest statement signings possible.
As previously mentioned, a starting role in the centres will almost certainly be up for grabs, and his extensive experienced in that role could be key to helping the club get to where it wants to be.
Matty Russell
Credit: Imago Images
Both Zak Hardaker and Gareth O’Brien, full-back options, are off-contract at the end of the year.
Matty Russell has been excellent for a number of years at Warrington Wolves, and now that he’s potentially on his way out of the club, the Leopards may look to pounce.
At Leigh briefly in 2012, he’s since become a Super League
Both a full-back and winger option, he’ll be wanted by a number of Super League clubs needing a new outside-back.
He’s also capable of scoring tries, with almost 100 in his career.
Although he’s mostly played on the wing over the past few years, he was a regular at full-back in 2021, and impressed – probably enough to make Derek Beaumont want to bring him to the club for next year.
