Sixteen players have joined Leeds from other professional clubs over the past two seasons and another five are set to make their debut this year. That’s a huge turnaround for a club who have issued 26 squad numbers for the coming campaign.
Those 16 recruits, all signed under previous boss Rohan Smith, have had mixed fortunes at Rhinos, with more than half of them having already moved on, but others becoming an integral part of the team. Here’s a look at how Leeds’ new faces in 2023 and 2024 fared.

13. Derrell Olpherts
The ex-Castleford Tigers winger scored four tries in 14 games in 2023 and was released during the following pre-season, to join Wakefield Trinity. He’s now at Featherstone Rovers. Photo: Steve Riding

14. Luis Roberts
The ex-Leigh back scored four tries in 23 games during his two seasons with Leeds, but was not retained when his contract expired last autumn and is currently without a club. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

15. Leon Ruan
Spotted by Smith playing for Doncaster, he featured 11 times for Rhinos, grabbing a try on his debut, but was released at the end of last term, with a year remaining on his contract. He is now at Hull KR. Photo: Steve Riding

16. Justin Sangare
The French prop, signed from Toulouse, played 42 times in two seasons with Rhinos, scoring two tries, but was released from the remaining year on his contract and is now with Salford. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

17. Leeds Rhinos pre season training session at Headingley Stadium. Photograph by Tony Johnson. 6th December 2024
The forward, signed from York Knights, is entering the third season of a four-year deal and is yet to make his Rhinos debut. Photo: Tony Johnson