Leeds Rhinos have announced that Australian prop Keith Galloway has joined the club on a three-year contract from NRL side Wests Tigers.
The 29-year-old gained five caps with Australia in 2011 and has made one State of Origin appearance for New South Wales. He has made over 200 NRL appearances for Wests and Cronulla Sharks since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2003. Looking ahead to joining the Rhinos in 2016, he said, “I am really excited to be coming to the Rhinos. I can’t wait to get over there and play for Leeds.
“It is a different style of competition but I have watched it on TV and the chance to go over there and play in Super League is something that excites me. I am pretty close with Pat Richards and he obviously off to Catalans next season. He loved his time in England and when I mentioned to him that I was thinking about heading to the Super League competition he told me I would love it. When people like that tell you how good it is you take those comments on board.
“One of the reasons I was sold on the Rhinos was the chance to be part of a team that is competing for silverware. I have never tasted success at senior level and hopefully I can achieve that at Leeds. I know the team are going really well and I am looking forward to watching the boys for the remainder of the season so I can familiarize myself with everyone’s names and get to know how the team plays before I get over here.
“I have always had a desire to come and play in the UK in my career and I have had the opportunity to stay in Leeds on a number of occasions when I have been over. It is a great city and I am looking forward to making it my home and being part of the English lifestyle,” added Galloway.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott added, “It is very pleasing to have reached agreement with Keith to bring him to the Rhinos. He is a highly experienced forward who will add to the group we already have in place for next season with the likes of Adam Cuthbertson, Mitch Garbutt and Brad Singleton. He is a no-nonsense front rower who will take the team forward. Importantly, when you speak to anyone about him as a person, they can not speak highly enough of him. Having played for Australia and New South Wales, he is a significant signing for us and I am looking forward to the end of the year when he joins up with us.”
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington added, “We are delighted to have attracted a player of the quality and experience of Keith to the Rhinos. I would like to thank Wests Tigers for how they have handled the matter with us and we look forward to welcoming Keith into the Rhinos family ahead of 2016.”
