Wednesday 15 August 2018 07:43, UK
Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that Australian centre or stand-off Joel Moon will leave the club at the end of the season.
Moon, 30, who is out of contract, has been with the Rhinos since 2013 and has decided the time is right to return home, where he is expected to resume his career in the NRL.
The former Brisbane and New Zealand Warriors player has made 164 appearances for the Rhinos since joining them from Salford and took his try total to 76 with two against Toulouse last Saturday.
Moon has won two Challenge Cup finals, a League Leaders' Shield and two Grand Finals during his six seasons at Headingley and was the Players' Player of the Year in 2017.
Moon said: "First and foremost, I would like to say thank you to everyone at the Rhinos for the support they have given me during six wonderful seasons at the club.
"The time is right now for me and my young family to head home to Australia but I will leave at the end of the season with so many incredible memories.
"It has been a privilege to pull on the Leeds Rhinos jersey every week and my focus now is on making sure we finish the season as strongly as possible before I head home.
"I will remain a supporter of the Rhinos and the club will always have a special place in my heart. I am looking forward to coming back in the years ahead and to cheer the boys on from the stands."
Leeds director of rugby Kevin Sinfield, a former team-mate, said: "Joel has been an outstanding servant for the Rhinos and one of the most exciting players for supporters and team-mates alike.
"We fully understand the decision he has made for his young family and he will leave Emerald Headingley with our best wishes at the end of the season. He will always remain a Rhino."
