Leeds Rhinos' Sam Walters extends Headingley deal

The 20-year-old has signed a deal which will keep him at Emerald Headingley until at least the end of the 2023 Super League season.

Liverpool-born Walters has featured in the club’s last two games, playing the full 80 minutes in last week’s Betfred Super League clash with Wigan Warriors.

The back-row has made significant strides since joining from Widnes Vikings, debuting against Catalans Dragons last September and making four appearances in 2020.

Highly-rated by the Rhinos hierarchy, his original contract ran until the end of next season but he has now agreed new terms and an extended length for his deal.

“I didn’t want to be anywhere else and it is a boost to my confidence that Kevin Sinfield and Richard Agar see me as part of the club’s plans moving forward,” said Walters, who follows last season’s Super League top try-scorer Ash Handley in becoming the latest Rhinos player to commit his future to the Challenge Cup holders this week.

“It was an aim of mine at the start of pre-season to try and earn a new deal and I really pleased to have achieved that.

“Having had the game time I have already experienced this year speaks volumes to me about my future here and I am looking forward to the future now.”

While still at Widnes, Walters was part of the England Academy side that defeated the Australian Schoolboys in 2018, playing alongside current Rhinos team-mates Harry Newman, Callum McLelland and Tom Holroyd.

Rhinos director of rugby Sinfield said: “Sam was already an England Academy international when he joined us from Widnes so clearly had potential.

“However, he has worked hard over the last 18 months to improve his game and we are seeing the fruits of that work in the games he has played recently.

“As a club, we always look to reward players for their efforts and we are pleased to be able to offer Sam a new contract and that he has accepted it.”

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