Leeds Rhinos have confirmed the signing of Wales international Luis Roberts on a two-year deal from Leigh Centurions.
As reported by Rugby League Live last month, Roberts will link up with Rohan Smith at Headingley after being watched by the Rhinos for a while now, and today the club have finally got their man.
Roberts, 20, started his career at Salford Red Devils, making his Super League debut in 2020. He subsequently made the move to Swinton where he was a standout star, averaging a try every other game despite the Lions eventually being relegated from the Championship. Despite that, he was crowned the competition's best young player, and his performances earned him a move to hometown club Leigh Centurions before heading out on loan to Widnes at the back end of 2022.
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Rhinos boss Rohan Smith is looking forward to seeing how Roberts will develop in West Yorkshire as he thinks the move has come at the perfect time for the Welsh ace, and admits he has been on the Australian's radar since he took the job whilst pointing out his new signings biggest strength.
"Luis was one of the first players I started tracking in the Championship when I arrived," said Smith. "Luis is a quality athlete, who is still growing. He has a great attitude towards improvement and is ready to take the next step in his career. The coaching staff and I are looking forward to him improving as a centre and a winger in his time at the Rhinos."
Speaking to Leeds' media team, Roberts commented, "I am really looking forward to joining Leeds. This is a big moment for me. I have been in the Championship for the last two years, working hard, and this move will be another level for me, especially as I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the game.
"My time in the Championship has built me as a player and a person. Leaving Salford was gutting at the time but it has turned me into a different player now. There are good players in the Championship and it has tested me to come up against them every week,"
The outside-back is expected to make his Rugby League World Cup debut for John Kear's Wales side on Wednesday evening, as the Dragons take on the Cook Islands at the Leigh Sports Village. Roberts' signature is Leeds' fifth signing ahead of the 2023 campaign, with Justin Sangare, James McDonnell, Luke Hooley and Leon Ruan, while they are expected to confirm the capture of former Castleford Tigers winger Derrell Olpherts shortly.
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