Leeds Rhinos have signed Huddersfield Giants prop Anthony Mullally on a three-year deal.
The 23-year-old Ireland international will join the Rhinos at the end of the season when his contract expires with the Giants.
He has made 10 Super League appearances this year.
“He’s got good size and speed. He’s one of that rare breed of big people who can move as well,” Leeds coach Brian McDermott told BBC Radio Leeds.
“He’ll get compared to Jamie Peacock and he’s going to have to deal with that and perform.
“I don’t think he’ll ever perform to the standard where people will say we have replaced ‘JP’ but I don’t think we could sign a player in the world who could do that.”
Huddersfield themselves adding the following, saying: “Huddersfield Giants were disappointed to learn of Anthony Mullallys decision to leave the club at the end of the 2015 season. The prop forward had been offered improved and extended Giants terms some months back to remain at the club which the club had hoped would be accepted.”
Giants Managing Director Richard Thewlis told of his surprise that Mullally had chosen pastures a new: “Its disappointing and rare when players who we give the opportuntiy to remain here chose to move on, especially given our offer and the fact that Anthony is playing here week in week out, however we respect his decision and the process that allows these moves to occur now and have every confidence that Anthony will continue to give his all as a Giant for the remainder of 2015.”