Young star George Brown signs contract extension with Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos have announced that exciting young half-back George Brown, 19, has signed a new contract extension that will keep him at AMT Headingley until at least the end of the 2029 Betfred Super League season.

A product of the Rhinos pathway, Brown has enjoyed a rapid rise through the club’s scholarship, academy and reserves systems before making the step up to first-team rugby this season. The new long-term deal reflects both the club’s belief in his potential and Brown’s commitment to continuing his development in blue and amber.

Brown commented, “I am really pleased to have agreed a long term deal with the club and I would like to thank Brad Arthur and Ian Blease for having faith in me. 

“As our transition coach, Chev Walker’s influence has been a huge boost to me too. We got to both Grand Finals last year with the Academy and Reserves and I am excited to be part of this group going forward in the next few years. I would also like to thank all the lads in the squad who have helped me and made me feel at home in the first team squad. 

“We have got players who have been around Leeds for a long time and they really want to win something. You can see how ambitious the club is and striving to win things. For us as young boys coming through, that’s a great influence on us and shows how high the standards are.”

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur, who committed his own future to the club on Friday with a new two year contract, added, “George is a young player we are excited about and one who we believe has a very bright future at this club. What has impressed me most since I arrived is the rate of his development. He’s probably progressed quicker than I expected and every opportunity he’s been given, he’s handled really well.

“We haven’t seen as much of him as we would have liked because of his knee injury, but the signs have been very encouraging. You could see his confidence growing with every game and every experience he had around the first-team environment.

“George is a player who suits the way we want to play. He’s tough, he defends well, he runs the ball strongly and he’s got a competitive edge that you need at this level. He’s got some similarities in his style to Brodie Croft, but he’s also got his own strengths and qualities that will continue to develop over time.

“We’re proud of the pathway we’ve built at Leeds Rhinos and George is a great example of that. We believe in our system, we believe in our coaches and, most importantly, we believe in the young players coming through. George has earned this opportunity and everyone at the club is excited to see what he can achieve in the years ahead.”

Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director Ian Blease added, “Leeds as a club has a proud tradition of developing their own talent and that will definitely be the foundation of our group moving forward. We are pleased to have secured George on a long term contract. Whilst he is currently injured, we have faith in him that he will return stronger from the lay off and I look forward to seeing him make the most of his opportunity after another pre-season under his belt ahead of next year.”

Brown’s new deal secures one of the club’s brightest young prospects for the long term as Leeds Rhinos continue to build for the future.