Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that highly touted forward Morgan Gannon will leave the club at the end of the Super League season after turning down a contract extension.
The 21-year-old has informed the club of his decision to pursue a career in the NRL from 2026.
Gannon, who made his professional debut as a teenager in 2021, has since played 49 games for the Rhinos.
Despite dealing with concussion issues throughout his young career, the second-rower has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the world of rugby league.
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Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director Ian Blease expressed his disappointment at the decision, especially considering the significant investment the club has made in Gannon's development.
"We are extremely disappointed to be losing a young player who the club has put so much time and effort into developing," he said.
"I have made a substantial offer that represents how highly we regard Morgan and were looking for him to fully commit to the Rhinos after the way the club looked after him."
Blease acknowledged the growing challenge that Super League clubs face when trying to retain home-grown talent with NRL scouts constantly evaluating their rosters.
"We do understand the lure of the NRL, especially for young players and that is a significant challenge not just for the Rhinos but also Super League as a whole," he said.
Where will Gannon sign?
According to Code Sports, Gannon is set to sign a three-year-deal with the New Zealand Warriors.
The links between both parties are extremely strong given that Warriors assistant coach, Richard Agar, was the man to give Gannon his start when he was the coach of Leeds a few years ago.
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The young forward is looking to join the club for their 2026 campaign and will be a valuable addition to an already formidable pack.
Both Gannon's father and brother have played professional rugby league, and his decision to leave his homeland was not one he took lightly.
"This move is nothing to do with money, it is something I want to challenge myself with," he said.
Gannon remains steadfast in his commitment to the Rhinos for the remainder of the season.
"I am excited about what we can achieve as a group this season and I want to play my part in that," he said.