Harry Newman held talks with clubs in both the NRL and domestic rugby union before committing his long-term future to Leeds: but says his sole focus is now to bring silverware back to Headingley with the Rhinos.
Newman's previous Leeds deal expired at the end of the current season, and there was rumoured to be significant interest from other clubs - and other sports - in his services if he decided to leave the Super League club.
The 21-year-old admitted he did even go as far as holding talks with other clubs about a move away from Headingley, where he started his career in 2017. However, he is now keen to put that to bed after eventually settling on a new three-year contract with Leeds.
"There was interest from Australia and rugby union," Newman told Rugby League Live. "I spoke to certain clubs and had some conversations, but I really don't need to speak about that any longer. The bottom line is that I'm happy here, I want to play here and that's why I signed the deal here. The rest doesn't really matter now.
"That was something that's been up in the air for a while and everyone knew that. But both myself and Rich (Agar) have been open with it, and I've been open with them about what I was doing and why.
"But I'm delighted it's all been sorted and I can look forward to the next three years here and not need to worry about any of that contract stuff for a good while now. That's all I'm focussed on because people have been asking who I'd been speaking to but that's finished now. I'm signed here and I'm happy here."
With his future now sorted, Newman's focus has shifted to winning major trophies with Leeds - something he insists is possible as early as this season with the squad the Rhinos have assembled for the 2022 campaign.
"We've got to go one step further," he said. "We've spoken about it as a group, everyone is very tight and really close and the strength in depth is going to take us a long way, I think.
"If we get a couple of injuries, there are players who can fill in and do a job. The squad is in a healthy position, we've had a great pre-season and we're all excited for this year. We can do something really special."
