Leigh Leopards have confirmed a raft of new signings ahead of their return to Super League - including former Leeds Rhinos star Zak Hardaker. The England international was one of nine new faces confirmed at the Leigh Sports Village at a press conference on Wednesday, with a string of established top-flight names joining Hardaker at the newly-rebranded Leopards.
Hardaker is not the only big arrival. Huddersfield Giants centre Ricky Leutele has signed for Adrian Lam's side, as has another Leeds Rhinos man in Tom Briscoe, who joins the club after a stellar career at Headingley Stadium that has seen him win a plethora of major honours.
Five players have also joined from Warrington Wolves. Robbie Mulhern and Oliver Holmes have signed up, as has former London Broncos forward Matt Davis. Jack Hughes also links up with Adrian Lam's side for 2023, along with young forward Jacob Gannon.
Read more: Leigh Centurions announce eye-catching rebrand to become Leigh Leopards in 2023
The eighth new signing is Castleford Tigers' Gareth O'Brien, who also returns to Lancashire following a stint with Lee Radford's side. Young Newcastle Thunder prop Nathan Wilde has also been confirmed as a member of Leigh's squad for 2023.
Rugby League Live revealed earlier this week that Hardaker had turned down a deal with Leeds Rhinos and had secured a move to an alternative Super League club for 2023. The England international, who played a pivotal role in helping the Rhinos reach the Grand Final, has decided to return to Lancashire just months after securing a release from Wigan Warriors to be closer to his young family.
Leutele was arguably the form centre in Super League across the first half of the 2022 season with Huddersfield, but despite looking likely to remain with the Giants next season, he turned down a deal with Ian Watson's side. That has led to the Leopards swooping and securing the Samoan star on a deal for next year.
Holmes, Hughes and Mulhern are also high-profile arrivals after making the move across Lancashire from Warrington.
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