Rhinos give opportunity to rising star

Leeds Rhinos can confirm the signing of Halifax Panthers and Jamaica forward Delaine Gittens on a one-year deal until the end of the 2027 season.

The 25-year-old became a mainstay in Kyle Eastmond’s pack after moving mid-season from Workington Town to feature 16 times for the Panthers, scoring one try. Having spent pre-season last year as part of Adrian Lam’s Leigh Leopards side, he gets a second chance to test himself in a Super League environment by joining the Rhinos.

The Hammersmith-born forward was a product of London Broncos’ development pathway before making his senior debut with Coventry Bears in late 2021. After a brief spell at London Skolars, a move to Barrow Raiders saw the prop play 17 combined games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons as the club improved to a mid-table finish. He also earned selection for the Reggae Warriors at the end of both campaigns to make starting appearances against Wales and France.

Despite training with the Leopards in preparation for the 2026 season, Gittens signed a one-year deal with Workington Town, playing ten games before switching to Halifax, where he ended the season as a regular member of the forwards with 12 total starts in 16 games. 

Speaking about joining the Rhinos, Gittens said: “Getting the opportunity to join Leeds Rhinos is something I’m really proud of. My journey in rugby hasn’t always been straightforward, but every club I’ve been at has helped me learn more about myself as a player and what I need to do to keep improving.

“Representing Jamaica was a proud moment for me, and experiences like that have made me even more determined to see how far I can take my career. I know I still have plenty to prove, and I see this as a massive opportunity to challenge myself, learn from the people around me and show what I’m capable of. I’m not coming in expecting anything to be handed to me. I want to earn the respect of the coaches and the boys through the way I train and play. If I can bring physicality, energy and a strong work ethic every week, then hopefully I can make a real contribution to the team.”

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur said: “What interests me about Delaine is that he’s had to work for the opportunities he’s had in the game. He’s experienced different environments and had to find ways to keep pushing his career forward.

“He’s a young forward who still has development in him, and we want to create an environment where he can come in, work hard and see how good he can become.”

Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director, Ian Blease said: “Delaine is an interesting signing for us because there’s still plenty of potential for him to fulfil. He’s taken a different route through the game, but we feel there is more to come from him and we want to allow him to show that.

“Recruitment isn’t just about looking at where a player is today; it’s also about understanding where they could get to and whether they have the character and desire to keep improving. We believe Delaine has those qualities, and we see this as an opportunity for both the player and the club.”