LEIGH LEOPARDS head coach Adrian Lam has confirmed that he is still hunting their former player Kai O’Donnell – though any potential deal for the remainder of 2026 looks unlikely to happen.
The Leopards landed Jack Ashworth from Castleford Tigers on Tuesday, filling the gap for a robust forward after talk of an immediate return for O’Donnell, who helped Leigh lift the Challenge Cup in 2023, quietened.
O’Donnell, 27, has forced his way back into the reckoning for North Queensland Cowboys in recent weeks, and Lam believes that his focus will now be on the NRL finals rather than moving to Super League.
“The question has been asked whether we would be interested in bringing Kai to Super League, and that’s on Kai,” Lam said.
“If he is going to head back to the UK, then we’re certainly a club that would be interested. He broke a lot of hearts with our fans and players when he left (at the end of 2024 after three seasons with Leigh) and he’s a player we would love back.
“But I presume that’s in the future and not this week. I know Kai played for North Queensland this week and they’re in the (top) eight, so I think his focus will be on that rather than his future immediately.”
In terms of other signings, Lam said: “We’re always looking, talking and communicating. There’s still a couple of days to manoeuvre (before Friday’s deadline) and talk to people but at this time, that’s probably it.
“We do have a window financially to bring one or two more in if we choose to.”