'New adventure' - Kruise Leeming back where it all began with Huddersfield Giants

Did you know with a Digital subscription to Yorkshire Post, you can get access to all of our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Leeming, 31, played for Huddersfield from 2013-2019 before moving to Leeds Rhinos. He played in the 2020 Challenge Cup final win against Salford Red Devils, but was released from his Rhinos contract in 2023 and joined Gold Coast Titans in the southern hemisphere NRL, where he worked with current Giants coach Jim Lenihan. He returned to England the following season, signing a four-year deal with Wigan Warriors, but has spent this term on loan at Catalans Dragons. Wigan have now confirmed his release, allowing him to pen a three-year contract for Giants. Leeming said: 'It feels like a new adventure. I was a different player (in his previous spell at Huddersfield), the whole team is different. "It's exciting for me to go back, I want to win something at the club that gave me the chance to start my career as a professional - it would be the biggest achievement of my career. It's big words, but it's the truth.' Leeming will compete with Zac Woolford for the No 9 role and added: 'There's a lot of players at the club I can learn from. Zac's a really good hooker and we'll work well together. "The club has had a great end to the season and it's crucial to carry that on into 2027.' Giants director of rugby Andy Kelly said: 'Watching him in recent weeks, including his appearance at the Accu stadium, he has been one of Catalans' stand out players and changes the game when he comes on to the field. "What Kruise brings is not just the guile that goes with a hooker - and that includes his running game - but leadership qualities we'll need going into the next couple of seasons.'