Leeds Rhinos centre Levi Edwards has joined Championship outfit York City Knights on a season-long loan deal.
A product of the highly-regarded Leeds academy, 18-year-old Edwards comes to the Knights a matter of months after being included in the England Knights squad for their international friendly against Jamaica in October last year.
Edwards, who has also featured in the back-row during his early career, spent a period of time at the Knights’ Championship rivals Batley Bulldogs during 2021 and, after a full pre-season with the Rhinos, now joins James Ford’s Knights squad for the remainder of the season.
The acquisition of Edwards provides Ford with further options in the threequarters following the departure of former Hull FC man Jack Logan last week.
Former Batley Boys and Siddal junior Edwards was named Man of the Match in an academy origin fixture between Yorkshire and Lancashire in 2021 and is viewed as a potential star of the future.
On his new signing, head coach Ford said: “Levi is another talented young player that we’ve added to our squad.
“He moves very well and has some outstanding centre skill in his game already.
“We’re all really excited to work with Levi and help him develop and reach the very high standards that he’s capable of.
“Levi can play centre and back-row and provides competition for places in both those positions.”
Edwards could make his debut for the Knights this Sunday against London Broncos before a potential home debut as part of the double-header at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday 20th March.
The Knights Ladies will kick off the afternoon at noon against Wigan Warriors in their Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group Stage match before Ford’s men take on Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship at 3pm.
