Leeds and Huddersfield complete Kruise Leeming and Owen Trout swap deal

Drew Darbyshire 27 Nov 2019 7:44 AM

Leeds have signed hooker Kruise Leeming from Huddersfield, with youngster Owen Trout going the other way.

Hooker Leeming, 24, has signed a two-year contract with the Rhinos after handing in a transfer request at the Giants.

He is a current England Knights international who has made 120 appearances for Huddersfield.

Rhinos director of rugby, Kevin Sinfield, said: “We are delighted to have secured Kruise.

“He is an exciting, young English player who has played over 100 games in Super League and impressed our coaching staff.

“He will join our squad in pre-season training with immediate effect and I am sure he will be a great addition to our squad.

“I would like to thank Owen Trout for his efforts at the Rhinos, he had a taste of first-team rugby last season at Dewsbury and Featherstone and I am sure he will relish the challenge of a new club at the Giants.”

Back-rower Trout, 20, has penned a four-year deal with Huddersfield.

He has made three first-team appearances for Leeds as well as enjoying spells in the Championship with Dewsbury and Featherstone. Trout is a former England Academy international.

Giants managing director, Richard Thewlis, commented: “This move is tinged with a great deal of sadness on our part.

“We did not want to lose Kruise Leeming but when the player himself says he wants to leave and preferred a fresh challenge as in his own words he had gone stale – we really had no option but to agree his transfer request which we did in mid-October.

“All clubs were informed of his desire to leave us and only the Rhinos showed any interest so it was pleasing that when Kevin Sinfield came back from his international commitments that we were able to conclude a deal that we as the Giants were happy with and bring Owen Trout to the club.

“We as a club simply cannot have anyone here who is not fully committed to us and the desire that Owen has shown to join is excellent.

“Within minutes of hearing that we wished to speak to him, he was in his car and looking around and meeting people and he very quickly confirmed he wished to take up the challenge here.”