Levi Edwards exits Leeds for long-term Championship deal

Levi Edwards has left Leeds to take up a three-year deal with Championship side York Knights with immediate effect.

Edwards, 19, featured for the side under then-coach James Ford in 2022 on a season-long loan from the Rhinos.

He scored four tries in 11 appearances, including a four-pointer in the 26-24 play-off victory over Halifax.

The centre has been a part of the Leeds set up since the age of 16. He was set to wear shirt number 30 for the upcoming Super League campaign at Headingley Stadium under Rohan Smith.

On joining the Knights on a permanent deal, Edwards said: “I’m really excited. I was at the club last year for the season on loan and I really enjoyed it. It’s a really good club. 

“I can’t wait to get going again now playing for the club on a permanent deal.

“I want to improve my game and develop as a player and I think that York is the club for me to do that.

“It’s a really professional environment here and the facilities are top class. It wasn’t a hard decision to come here on a permanent deal and I think it’s going to be a really good move for me in the long run.

“And hopefully I can help the club in the long run by getting us into Super League. I’d love to help York get there and I’d love to be playing in Super League myself.

“We’ve got the facilities, coaching staff and players, so it’s up to us to do it.”

York boss in Levi Edwards capture

Knights head coach Andrew Henderson, added: “Levi was on loan with the club last year so we made our initial enquires about potentially bringing him on loan again this season.

“Then we had an indication that we might be able to get him permanently. We didn’t hesitate to progress that and make that move.

“Levi is an exciting talent and a fantastic carrier of the ball. I believe he has the potential to be a Super League player in the future.

“He’s someone we’ve identified as being part of the journey longer term all being well from his side if he continues to progress and develop as a player, as we hope he will.

“In the short term I think it was important that we brought in another outside back.

“We couldn’t miss out this opportunity to get a player of Levi’s quality and in that position more importantly to add strength and depth to the current squad.

“He’s an exciting talent”

“He’s really excited to come to York. He said he really enjoyed the experience last year during his time here and he’s excited about the new opportunity for him.

“He’s hopeful that he can cement himself in this team and develop further here to ultimately make him a Super League player and hopefully a Super League player with York one day.

“He’s an exciting talent. I see something in him and he has a real quality about what he can do.

“What excites me the most is that he’s still so young, he has so many years ahead of him and so much more growth in him as a player as well. I’m really excited to have him here.”

York host Bradford on Monday at the LNER Community Stadium, live on Viaplay Sports. 

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