Muizz Mustapha promoted to Leeds first team squad

England academy forward Muizz Mustapha has been handed a new two-year full-time deal to be part of the Leeds first team squad for the 2019 season.

Mustapha, 18, was born in Nigeria and starred for England academy in their historic series win over Australian Schoolboys in December.

He said: “I am really pleased to be joining the first team squad. It is a big reward for my hard work in the Academy and the success I enjoyed with the England Academy recently. This is what I have been working towards since I joined the club.

“It has always been a dream to earn a full-time contract with the club since I was young and I cannot wait to get started. I started playing Rugby League when I was at primary school and I fell in love with the game the first moment I played it.”

Mustapha, who moved to Leeds at the age of five, came through at community club Hunslet Warriors before joining the Rhinos scholarship programme.

He made his senior rugby league debut for Featherstone in their Championship Shield Final win over Leigh at the end of last season.