Rhinos sign Hankinson from Salford for remainder of 2025 season

Leeds Rhinos have announced the signing of 31-year-old outside back Chris Hankinson from Salford Red Devils for the remainder of the 2025 Betfred Super League season. 

The Rhinos have bolstered their cover for outside backs with Ethan Clark-Wood and Alfie Edgell set for prolonged periods on the sideline following injury. Hankinson, who has made 15 appearances this season for Salford, has joined up with his new team mates today and will be in contention for selection for Thursday night’s trip to Leigh Leopards.

Hankinson started his junior career at Ashton Bears before signing for Leigh in 2014 and playing two seasons for the club with a loan spell at Barrow Raiders in 2015. He continued his development at Swinton Lions before earning to a move to his home town club, Wigan, in 2018. He had loan spells back at Swinton and London Broncos before moving to Toulouse Olympique in 2022 and helping the French club on their promotion to Super League. Following relegation, he returned to England with Featherstone and earned another chance in Super League this season with Salford. In total he has played 135 career games and scored 34 tries and 208 goals for a career total so far of 552 points.

Commenting on meeting his new team mates today, Hankinson said, “It's been great. The lads have been very welcoming. It's a little bit different to what I'm used to and it's been a good day. I just want to get back to playing well. We’re coming into an exciting time of year. I just want to impress my new team mates and the coaches in training and do what I can for the team. We've got some big talent in the back line at Leeds and our job as wingers is to try and get a few points for the team. There is great competition for places with Riley and Ryan so I will be doing my best in training.

“Leigh have been going pretty well this year and obviously the Rhinos have been in good form too, so we've got to continue that and hopefully get a good two points on Thursday,” added Hankinson.

Sporting Director Ian Blease added, “We are pleased to be able to bring Chris in for the remainder of this season. He is an experienced player and we were down to our last two front line wingers in Ryan Hall and Riley Lumb. Chris can also cover other positions as well and he has immediately fitted in with the lads. I would like to thank Salford for allowing Chris to move on and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses in our environment.”

Head Coach Brad Arthur commented, “Chris has trained today and will be in contention for a place in our 21 man squad for Thursday. It is great that Ian and the board have been able to act quickly following Alfie’s injury at Wakefield and it was important that we have cover in that position as we enter a vital stage of the season. We have got other players coming back from injury in the coming weeks and there will be great competition for spots in the games ahead.”