Leeds Rhinos on verge of Jake Connor deal as major recruitment shakeup begins

[josie andrews]

The Rhinos are set to make their first major signing under Brad Arthur.

Leeds Rhinos are on the verge of completing a deal for Huddersfield Giants star Jake Connor. Rugby League Live can reveal the club has held talks with Connor and are expected to finalise a deal in the coming days.

29-year-old Connor is set to enter the final year of his contract at the Giants but an amicable decision has been reached between the club and the player, allowing the Great Britain international to pursue options elsewhere.

It's a move to Headingley that is now on the cards, with Connor believed to be ready to join Brad Arthur's squad for 2025 and beyond. The Rhinos have been on the lookout for a back that can play across the backline and Connor provides just that, having previously played at fullback, centre and in the halves. Leeds previously went in for Jordan Rapana, who subsequently moved to Hull FC, but are now on the verge of landing Connor, who comes with the added bonus of not using up a quota spot.

The Rhinos have two overseas spots unoccupied in their squad next season and while they are keen to fill them, Connor's availability attracted interest from Arthur, who has decided to make the talent a top transfer target.

Connor has made 212 Super League appearances during his career and was part of the Hull FC side that won the Challenge Cup in 2017. With the Black and Whites he became Super League's assist king, topping the competition's charts in 2022.

Upon his return to Huddersfield, Connor outlined his desire to add further silverware to his collection, though that has not materialised in his two seasons with the club. Now, however, it appears he will look to achieve that goal with Leeds.

The Rhinos looked to secure Connor earlier this year on a loan deal after he was left out of the Giants squad by former head coach Ian Watson. While that didn't materialise, a more permanent deal now appears to be in the pipeline.

Huddersfield have recently appointed Luke Robinson as head coach and he is expected to oversee changes to his squad between now and the beginning of the 2025 season. Connor, however, is almost certain to be the most high-profile and unexpected exit of them all.

It will free up further salary cap space for the Giants to work with heading into next year, with the club already securing deals for Tom Burgess, George King, Liam Sutcliffe and Zac Woolford.

https://newsletters.e.leeds-live.co.uk/ ... D=7wSzdyy0

[ddtftf]

He will fit in at Leeds he is a dick head and if ever a player wasted talent he was born with its this guy. Leeds are like headless chickens trying to buy themselves out of trouble & it will be a disaster again .

[Blackpool_Pie]

He really isn't what Leeds need right now.

[Charriots Offiah]

They are welcome to him.

[fozzie58]

He will fit in at Leeds he is a dick head and if ever a player wasted talent he was born with its this guy. Leeds are like headless chickens trying to buy themselves out of trouble & it will be a disaster again .

Well mate that saved me a lot of typing as I was going to say pretty much the same thing,another journeyman for Leeds to pick up

[Wiganer Ted]

Surely someone at Leeds should have warned Arthur off this bloke.
We have heard stories about Leeds having a volatile dressing room. Connor should provide the matches for that load of combustable material.
Don't know who's dafter, Connor or Leeds for signing him.

[Blackpool_Pie]

As easy as it is to laugh at Leeds and this dreadful potential signing, SL is much weaker without a strong Leeds team.

[fozzie58]

As easy as it is to laugh at Leeds and this dreadful potential signing, SL is much weaker without a strong Leeds team.

I doubt many would disagree with you but how long have they been rebuilding 7 years is it there’s something wrong with the club it seems to me they’re trading on past glories while making such poor signings,Connor if it comes off is just another one of a long list since of their golden era retired.

[blindsideprop]

Id prefer kenneth connor

[Firestarter]

Just been talking to a random rhinos fan on hol and he reckons theirs no way hes going leeds.Make of this what you will