Leeds Rhinos recruit Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers to three-year contracts from Salford in the Super League
Leeds sign Salford duo Croft and Ackers
Leeds have pulled off a double coup for next year’s Betfred Super League with the signings of Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers.
Half-back Croft, who won last year’s Steve Prescott Man of Steel, and England international hooker Ackers have put pen to paper on three-year deals.
Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “It is our biggest investment in one go since we signed Iestyn Harris in 1997 when Iestyn came and made a significant difference to our squad.
“I am sure that Brodie and Andy will both do that.”
Leeds endured a disappointing season, finishing eighth – two points behind seventh-placed Salford – and missed out on the end-of-season play-offs.
Croft is confident he and Ackers can bring some vibrancy to Rohan Smith’s side as they attempt to revive their new club’s fortunes.
The Australian said: “I can’t wait to get started in pre-season and get to know the Leeds boys.
“When I found out that Gary and Rohan were keen to bring Andy with me from Salford, I was really excited. For me, he is the best hooker in Super League and we have a great relationship on and off the field.”
Ackers added: “The club have shown their ambition with the squad for next season and I will be looking to play my part.”
Whitley aims to ease Grand Final heartache after making Saints move
Matt Whitley hopes joining childhood club St Helens can help him ease the pain of two Grand Final defeat with Catalans Dragons.
The English second row grew up a Saints fan and was involved with the Betfred Super League club’s service area programme before joining the academy system of Widnes Vikings.
Whitley has signed a two-year contract with St Helens and the 27-year-old is aiming to help the team return to Old Trafford next year after their bid to make it five Super League titles in a row was thwarted by Catalans in this year’s play-off semi-finals.
“I’ve been looking forward to this since I was a little lad and for it to be finally happening it is something I’m really excited about,” Whitley told the club’s official website.
“It feels like a full circle moment, I spent a lot of my younger playing days at Saints but had to go elsewhere at 16, so to come back again now, a more established player I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’ve made it to two Grand Finals now but lost both, it’s not a feeling I want to keep having – I want to get that win. It adds to the experience and the hunger, and I’ll be working as hard as ever to get that next year.”
Whitley began his professional career at Widnes, making his Super League bow in 2015 and then agreeing full-time terms with the club shortly after.
His four seasons with the Vikings included being nominated for Super League Young Player of the Year in 2016. A move to the South of France followed, where he has thrived in a period of success for the Dragons.