Posted 21 November 2012 - 09:51 AM
Super League and World Champions Leeds Rhinos have today confirmed the signing of Salford City Reds centre Joel Moon, 24, for an undisclosed fee on a three year contract.
Moon, who will join the Rhinos with immediate effect, becomes the club’s second signing for the 2013 campaign joining fellow Australian Mitch Achurch.
He joined Salford last close season from New Zealand Warriors having spent three seasons in Auckland, earning a call up for the Indigenous All Stars and scoring 15 tries in 51 games. He made his NRL debut with Brisbane in 2006 as part of the `Baby Broncos’ squad having toured England the previous winter in the same Australian Institute of Sport squad as Israel Folau. He spent three seasons with the Broncos making 31 NRL appearances and scoring ten tries. He is originally from Caloundra in Queensland and has also played in the half backs and in the forwards in his career.
Commenting on the deal, Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, “We are delighted to have finalised the transfer to bring Joel Moon to Headingley Carnegie. We made no secret of the fact that we were looking to sign a centre who could complement our existing squad and add quality to our group and Joel was our preferred option. He will arrive in the UK in the next 24 hours and immediately begin pre-season training with the team and is likely to make his debut on Boxing Day against Wakefield in the Heatshot Festive Challenge.”
Head Coach Brian McDermott added, “Joel is a player who we have been monitoring for a while and it is great to bring him into the club now so we can improve our squad from a position of strength. We always said that any player we brought to the club would have to add significantly to the group and I think the fact that we have signed a player with as much experience at a young age definitely fits that criteria and he is an exciting signing not just for next season but as part of this young group moving forward.
“He has consistently scored tries in the NRL during his early career with Brisbane and New Zealand Warriors and impressed with Salford last season, earning a call up the Exiles squad. At 24, his best years are still ahead of him and it is an exciting prospect to think about him coming into our young backline and playing alongside the likes of Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins, Ben Jones-Bishop and Ryan Hall.”
Phil Daly
Media and PR Manager
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