Former Australia captain Danny Buderus will join Leeds Rhinos for the 2009 Super League season.
Aussie hooker joining the World Club champions next season
Former Australia captain Danny Buderus will join Leeds Rhinos for the 2009 Super League season.
The 30-year-old hooker, who has earned 24 Test caps, has spent his entire career playing for NRL side Newcastle Knights, but has been lured to Leeds by coach Brian McClennan.
Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington headed to the Southern Hemisphere in a bid to find a replacement for departing loose forward Gareth Ellis.
But McClennan admits he has been after Buderus ever since taking over from Tony Smith in the summer.
Potential
"When I first joined the Rhinos, Danny was the first guy that I thought would really help our team," McClennan said.
"I thought that was an area that the club could develop in the future, with a two-pronged dummy half-attack.
"Danny Buderus is the best hooker in Australia and I am excited about seeing him team up with Matt Diskin.
"The partnership that Danny and Andrew Johns had at the Knights was one of the greatest in world rugby league.
"The prospect of Danny working alongside Matt Diskin, Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire and Brent Webb is an exciting one for everyone connected with the Rhinos."
Mixed emotions
The Rhinos, crowned World Club champions already this season, currently lead Super League as they seek to replicate their Grand Final victory of last season.
While exited about the future though, Buderus says it has been a wrench making the decision to move.
"This is an opportunity to broaden my life and rugby league experiences while fulfilling career ambitions of playing in England," he addded.
"I have been blessed to play professional football in Newcastle for the last 13 years and I am extremely grateful for the support I have received throughout my career from everyone involved at the Knights.
"While I have mixed emotions that come with knowing my NRL career is coming to an end, the time was right for me and my young family to make this decision."
The news will come as a big boost to the Rhinos ahead of their top of the table clash with Harlequins on Friday night.
