Doncaster centre Mike Coady has signed for Leeds but will spend the rest of the season with the Championship club.
Coady to leave Doncaster at end of the year
Leeds Rhinos have signed centre Mike Coady from Co-operative Championship club Doncaster.
He will stay on loan at Doncaster, who are currently in administration, for the rest of the season before joining the Rhinos at the end of the year.
The 22-year-old, who played rugby union while at Loughborough University, has been touted as a long-term successor to Keith Senior.
Coady admits he is looking forward to the prospect of working with the veteran centre at the Super League club.
Potential
"Keith is one of the world's best centres so training and talking to him will be a big boost to me and help me adapt to life at the Rhinos," he said.
"It has all come about pretty quickly. I am looking forward to training in a professional environment with the great players that Leeds have. That can only help me develop my game and reach my full potential."
Coady scored four tries against London Skolars in only his third game for Doncaster but a bout of glandular fever has hampered his season.
Rhinos coach Brian McClennan is excited by the young prospect but warned fans that he must be given time to develop.
"Michael is a work in progress but a very exciting prospect," McClennan said.
"He is a raw talent but he is physical, tough, brave, athletic and, most importantly, intelligent so I am sure he has all the attributes needed to make a success of his opportunity.
"He is a difficult player to tackle and can break the line so you can see why the comparisons to Keith have been made. If he achieves half as much as Keith has done during his career, we will be more than happy."
