Castleford Tigers have signed Leeds Rhinos’ second-row Alex Mellor with immediate effect - and he could debut against Catalans on Sunday.
The ex-Huddersfield forward Mellor had widely been tipped for a move to Wheldon Road in 2023. But he has now made the switch early on a two-and-a-half year contract. Mellor, 27, had fallen down the pecking order at Headingley following injuries and the emergence of impressive teenager Morgan Gannon.
But Castleford boss Lee Radford hopes the move can work out for everyone and boost his side’s push for the play-offs. Mellor said: “I feel like the last eight or ten months have been a bit of a struggle for me playing-wise. I got a really bad injury and it set me back. I’ve been in and out injured so for me this move is about finding a bit of consistency in my playing time, hopefully staying injury-free and kicking on with Cas to see what we can do.
“It feels good. It’s been a bit of a long process getting things sorted, so to finally have it all figured out is a good feeling. Lee Radford is a big reason: I sat down with him the first time and felt comfortable around him and liked what he had to say, his persona and how he viewed things in rugby. I could really see myself playing under him and coming to Castleford to see what we can do.
“Going to Leeds was a big deal and I’ve nothing bad to say about them. I enjoyed it there. It’s just one of those things that we have gone our separate ways.”
Halifax-born Mellor started out at Bradford but joined Huddersfield when Bulls went into liquidation in 2017. He impressed with the Giants and moved to West Yorkshire rivals Leeds in 2020, lifting the Challenge Cup in his debut season. Radford said: “Alex is a really athletic, strike ball player on an edge.
“I’ve watched him over the years and been impressed with him and he’s probably not struck the chords that he wanted to so far this year. I think we’re picking up someone who we can try to get back into the swing of things and enjoying his rugby again.
"He has been on the cusp of the England Knights selection, he’s of the age where his best years are still in front of him and I think he will be a good coup for us. I’ve got a really good feeling for him and everyone I’ve spoken to - player and coach - has only had good things to say about him in and how he trains and approaches training. Competition is what we need. This time of year, to pick someone up of his quality is fantastic, as is having him long-term, too. Hopefully, this place will be good for him as he will be good for us."
