Leeds confirm Ryan Hall will leave at end of season

Leeds have confirmed that Ryan Hall will leave the Rhinos at the end of the 2018 season.

The 30-year-old has been with the Rhinos since making his debut in 2007 and is the club’s fifth highest try-scorer of all time with 231 tries in 327 appearances.

Hall has won six Grand Finals, two League Leaders’ Shields, two Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges in his time with the Rhinos.

On his decision to leave hometown club Leeds, Hall said: “I have had twelve amazing seasons as a Leeds Rhinos player and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.

“For me personally, I feel that this is the right time for a new challenge after such a long period at the club and my decision in no way reflects on the Rhinos.

“Words cannot really do justice to how much representing my hometown club and enjoying so much success has meant to me.

“My focus now is on the remainder of this season and putting the Rhinos in the best possible position for next season and beyond. I have had the privilege of working with brilliant coaches and players in my time at the club and I have total faith that under Kevin Sinfield and James Lowes the club will continue to go in the right direction for the future.”

Rhinos director of rugby Kevin Sinfield revealed that the club did want to keep the England star, who has scored 35 tries in 38 games for his country.

He said: “Naturally we are disappointed to lose a player of the quality of Ryan Hall.

“The club were keen to keep him here and we made him an offer that reflected his standing in the game. I know that Ryan will be doing everything between now and the end of the season to make sure his time at the club ends on the best possible note.

“He will remain a close friend of the Rhinos; as a Leeds lad, playing for his club and winning with the Rhinos means so much to him and I am sure we will remain in regular contact with him.

“The departure of any senior player is a chance for someone else to come into our group, just as it was Ryan when he first broke through over a decade ago, and we will be looking to strengthen the whole group for 2019 and beyond with this opportunity.”

Hall has been heavily linked with a move to NRL side Sydney Roosters for 2019, while rugby union clubs have been showing interest in the winger.