Rhinos make a statement with a double signing success.
With the significant double signing of former Man of Steel Brodie Croft and England international hooker Andy Ackers from Salford Red Devils on three-year contracts, Leeds Rhinos have made a statement for the upcoming 2024 Betfred Super League season.
Croft, who is 26 years old, played for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos before joining Salford in the Super League in 2022. He earned the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award after assisting the Red Devils in their run to the Super League semifinals. At the Rhinos, he will sport the squad number six.
Ackers, who is now 29 years old, originally came up via the Wigan Academy system and joined Salford in 2020 from Toronto Wolfpack. He participated in the victories over France and Greece for Shaun Wane’s England team at the World Cup, scoring a pair of tries in the latter. At the Rhinos, he will sport the squad number nine.
Gary Hetherington, chief executive officer of Leeds Rhinos, commented on the transaction, saying, “We are thrilled to have acquired these two players after a lengthy and intensive search for fresh players for our squad in Australia, fresh Zealand, and here at home. There are many exciting things in store for our fans as well as a significant investment for our club.
“I want to say a huge thank you to Paul Rowley and everyone at the Salford club who has supported me over the last two years and I wish them the best for the future,” Croft continued. I’m eager to begin preseason training and get to know the Leeds players. I was overjoyed to learn that Gary and Rohan were interested in having Andy join me from Salford. He is, in my opinion, the Super League’s top hooker, and we get along well both on and off the field.
“At Salford, we had a really close-knit group, and I believe it helped us succeed at our peak. I hope to recreate that at Leeds. I couldn’t wait to run out in front of the Leeds supporters and hear the South Stand yell, Croft continued. “I had a great smile on my face strolling around AMT Headingley, when you can see all the heritage here.
AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium is where Ackers is looking forward to playing. I’m glad to be joining the Rhinos, he continued. I will always be grateful for the three wonderful years I spent at Salford. The Rhinos are going through an exciting time. Harry Newman and Jarrod O’Connor are people I’ve had a terrific conversation with. Along with all the other fantastic young men here, working with Jarrod and Corey Johnson is something I am looking forward to. With the team for the upcoming season, the club has demonstrated their desire, and I will be aiming to contribute.
Leave a Reply