Leeds re-sign former captain Watkins from Salford

Kallum Watkins made 96 appearances for Salford Red Devils and is the latest major player to leave their ranks after Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton and Tim Lafai

Leeds Rhinos have re-signed former captain Kallum Watkins from Salford Red Devils on a deal for the remainder of the 2025 Super League season.

The 34-year-old won the World Club Challenge, three Super League Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups with the Rhinos before leaving in 2019.

Watkins then had a short spell with NRL side Gold Coast Titans and joined Salford in 2020 after initially signing for Toronto Wolfpack before their demise.

"I am delighted to be coming back to the Rhinos where my career began," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone at Salford Red Devils for the experiences we had shared together.

"It has been an incredibly tough season for everyone involved, from the players to the coaches and the staff at the Devils. I hope some resolution can be found in the coming weeks and months and the club can once again challenge in Super League."

Watkins, who has won 29 England caps, will not be involved for either Salford or Leeds when the two sides face each other later this week.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old forward Toby Warren will move the other way as part of a loan deal, keeping him with Salford for the rest of the season.

England centre Watkins spent 11 seasons at Headingley and left mid-season in 2019 to join the Titans having previously agreed to join them at the end of that season in the midst of a salary cap dispute.

His move down under was blighted by the Covid pandemic and he made just eight appearances before returning to England in April 2020 when his father contracted coronavirus.

He went on to agree a move to Toronto that summer but did not make an appearance for the club before they folded later that season.

That led to him arranging a move to Salford during a Covid-interrupted 2020 season, helping the club reach that season's Challenge Cup final where they were defeated by Leeds.

He made a total of 96 Salford appearances in almost five years with the club and is the latest exit as the Red Devils battle financial issues off the field.

Watkins joins Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton and Tim Lafai in exiting the beleaguered club in recent weeks.