Leeds Rhinos swoop for Griffin

The 30-year-old England international has penned a three-year deal with the Rhinos and is their second signing for the 2012 season, joining another front rower, Crusaders’ Richard Moore, at Headingley Carnegie.

Griffin’s move from the Galpharm to Leeds was one of the worst-kept secrets in the game, and the four-time national cap admits they were the only club he wanted to sign for.

“I would like to thank Huddersfield for everything they have done for me and I wish them all the best for the future,” he said.

“When I was told that I could speak to other clubs, I met with a number of Super League clubs but once I became aware of Leeds’ interest in me, there was only one club that I wanted to join.”

Griffin was born in Oxford and made his way into the professional ranks with Harlequins after impressing with the Oxford Cavaliers.

He then joined Wakefield, where he made his name, before moving to Huddersfield in 2007.

“Growing up playing the game in Oxford, it was always a dream to get to play with the champions and now I have that opportunity,” he added.

Coach Brian McDermott, a former prop himself, believes Griffin will add something extra to his squad.

He said: “Darrell is a great addition to our squad for next season. He is a player who I admire and has shown at Huddersfield that he is a hard-running prop who never takes a backward step.

“I think he will thrive in our environment and training regime and I am looking forward to seeing him play for Leeds.”

Griffin could be joined at Headingley by a third ‘new’ face, after chief executive Gary Hetherington confirmed veteran centre Keith Senior had been offered a pay-as-you-play deal with the club.

A four-time title winner with the Rhinos, Senior agreed a move to Crusaders earlier this year after suffering a season-ending knee injury, with Leeds sanctioning his release.

But the Crusaders’ withdrawal from Super League left Senior without a club, and it was then revealed he had the option of an extra year with Leeds.

Adding to his 365 games for the club seemed unlikely, though, after the 35-year-old criticised McDermott in his recently-released autobiography.

But Hetherington insists Senior still has a future with the club.

“We offered Keith a one-year deal for 2012 before his injury and, at the time, Brian McDermott did explain to Keith that the club would be stepping up its search to find a ‘Keith Senior replacement’ and if he stayed, he would have to fight for his place like all other players,” he said.

“As we know, Keith later signed for the Crusaders with our best wishes but this, unfortunately, was to fall through and Keith’s situation is made more complicated because of his knee reconstruction.

“We will continue to look after him and all his rehabilitation until he is fully recovered and Keith has also been offered a job to work for the club at the expiry of his playing contract and a pay-per-play contract for 2012, which he is still considering. If he was to get a better offer from another club, he would also have the option to take it up.

“This type of arrangement and support is typical of what Leeds Rhinos would provide for any of its players who have given long and outstanding service and Keith certainly falls into this category.

“It has been disappointing, therefore, to read some of the implied criticism of the club’s handling of this situation as we take great pride in the support we give to all our players and Keith is no exception.”