Kallum Watkins has signed a new deal with Super League Champions Leeds that will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2021 season.
Watkins, who was made Leeds captain ahead of the current season following Danny McGuire’s departure, was due to be out of contract at the end of next season, however, he has now committed to Leeds despite interest from elsewhere.
The Manchester-born centre has been in fantastic form this season and is a constant threat down the right-hand side, scoring 7 tries in 10 games and making 33 tackle busts, while also taking on kicking duties with a 65% success rate.
Speaking to the Rhinos website, Watkins said of his new deal: “This is a big stage in any rugby players career as I come into my late twenties and it is a massive deal for me to sign a new contact.
I love this club from the bottom of my heart. It is a fantastic club and I have been fortunate to be part of a successful period in the early part of my career. Our challenge now is to take that culture forward. The special thing about this club is the family aspect and how we collectively want to achieve something together, that made it very easy to extend my contract. I adore this club and love being with the boys, the whole environment was key in convincing me that I wanted to stay here.”
27-year old Watkins signs the new deal almost 10 years to the day since making his debut, which came against Crusaders on the 18th April 2008. He made his 200th Super League appearance in his two-try performance against Wakefield on Sunday, and has made 234 appearances in total, racking up 130 tries and kicking 106 goals.
