Leeds and England winger Ryan Hall has given the British game a huge boost by rejecting interest from rugby union and the NRL and agreeing a new five-year deal with the Rhinos.
The new deal will see the 26 year old stay at The Headingley Carnegie Stadium until the end of the 2018 season.
Hall has scored 158 tries in 197 appearances for the club and is currently tenth in the all time list of try scorers in the Super League era.
“I am really pleased to get the new deal agreed,” said Hall.
“I have always signed long term contracts with the club and I never had any intention of going anywhere but it is nice to feel that the club want me.
“This is a great club, who do things the right way, and I want to be part of helping the club move forward over the next few years. There is a great nucleus of players here who want to stay together and achieve more success for Leeds Rhinos.
“We are well looked after by the club and, as a group of players, we set high standards for ourselves and that is a great environment for an elite player to be in.”
According to Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott, this news is as good for Suer League as a whole as it is for the Leeds club.
“I think everyone who loves Rugby League and loves watching Super League will be pleased by this announcement,” added McDermott.
“We have seen Ryan perform on the highest stage with England against Australia and New Zealand and for the Rhinos in the World Club Challenges and he has consistently proved his quality. To agree a new long term contract with a player like that, which will take him through until he is 30, is testament to the culture at this club and the commitment these players have to one another.”
