LEEDS RHINOS have signed former captain Kallum Watkins for the remainder of the 2025 Super League season after agreeing a deal with Salford Red Devils.
Watkins came through the Rhinos Academy ranks making his debut for the club in 2008, becoming a regular in the team the following season before winning a World Club Challenge and Grand Final in 2012.
He added the Challenge Cup to his list of honours in 2014, before scooping up the Rhinos’ Player of the Season in the treble-winning season in 2015. In 2016 he played in every minute of every game for the Rhinos and added another Grand Final winners ring in 2017.
In 2018 he was named as the successor to Danny McGuire as captain of the club but a knee injury sidelined him for a long period and he then opted to move to the NRL in 2019 with Gold Coast Titans.
He returned to Super League in 2020, signing with Salford Red Devils, and played against his former side in the Challenge Cup Final. He been a key player for Salford since then as captain.
He has 29 caps for England including appearing at three consecutive World Cups for the national side.
Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director Ian Blease commented: “We are delighted to bring Kallum back to the Rhinos. He is natural leader who will add a great deal of quality to our squad.
“He has versatility to play in the pack or at centre and he will be a good influence on our young players coming through the Academy having done that journey himself to the very top of the game.
“I can envisage him, just like Ryan Hall, having a role beyond his playing career at the club.
“I would like to thank Chris Irwin at Salford for his help in getting the deal agreed and I hope the move will enable the Red Devils to continue their fight to stabilise themselves in Super League.”
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur commented: “It is an unusual that a player of Kallum’s quality becomes available mid-season. Since losing Maika Sivo before the season, Ian has been working hard to add experience to the depth of our playing group and Kallum certainly does that.”
Watkins also said: “I am delighted to be coming back to the Rhinos where my career began. I would like to thank everyone at Salford Red Devils for the experiences we had shared together.
“It has been an incredibly tough season for everyone involved, from the players to the coaches and the staff at the Devils. I hope some resolution can be found in the coming weeks and months and the club can once again challenge in Super League.
“The Rhinos also holds a special place in my career having started out in the Academy at the club and achieved so much. I am looking forward to working with Brad Arthur and getting to know the current squad with the aim of getting the Rhinos back to where we want to be.”
Toby Warren has joined Salford Red Devils on loan for the remainder of the season. Watkins will not be involved for either team in this Thursday’s Betfred Super League game when Leeds travel to Salford Red Devils.
