Son of Leeds Rhinos Grand Final hero signs contract extension

Hooker Joe Diskin’s latest deal replaces one which was due to expire this autumn and will keep him at Leeds until the end of 2028. Contract extensions for rookie forwards Ben Littlewood and Oliver Smart were announced earlier this week.

The 19-year-old joined Rhinos in 2022 as a full- back, but has since switched to the role his father Matt Diskin played for the club in four Grand Final triumphs during the 2000s, including a man of the match performance when Leeds won their first Super League title 22 years ago.

Having signed for Rhinos’ scholarship from the Dewsbury Moor community club, he has featured with Leeds at academy and reserve level and played on loan at London Broncos last year as well as Keighley Cougars and Hunslet RLFC in the Betfred Championship this season. Diskin is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, but will train with the first team squad when pre-season begins in November.

“I am really pleased to have agreed an extension with the club,” Diskin said. “Obviously the Rhinos has been a huge part of my life, firstly through my dad, but then having joined the club in the scholarship and come through the academy and the reserves.

“I would like to thank all the coaches who have worked with me and helped me develop. It was disappointing to pick up the shoulder injury, especially as we have a great group of lads in the reserves who I was enjoying playing with, but I am a few weeks post-surgery now and things are going well. I am looking forward to being back on the field.”

Rhinos transition-coach Chev Walker added: “Joe has worked hard on developing his game having moved from full-back to hooker. Unfortunately, he is currently injured, but he will be fully supported by the club to get back to his best and I am sure he will get the opportunity to make even more progress in pre-season this year with the first team squad. He is a popular member of our group and it is good news he will be here for the next two years at least.”