Leeds Rhinos have revealed that controversial England international Zak Hardaker will remain at Headingley until at least the end of 2019.
Hardaker, who made his debut for the Rhinos back in 2011, has pledged his future to the club and the Super League competition by signing a new four-year deal.
Hardaker, who has brought headlines on and off the field in recent years, has now made 124 appearances for the club since joining from Featherstone Rovers and recently scored his 60th try in the crucial Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Quarter Final win at Hull FC.
The 23 year-old is an exceptional talent and would be a shoe-in for the England number one shirt for the series against New Zealand later this year if it wasn’t for a certain Sam Tomkins – but he has had his problems.
Hardaker was fined £2,500 back in 2013 in the Rugby World Cup for breaching team discipline and in 2014 he was handed a five match ban after being found guilty of using a homophobic comment in a game against Warrington – he apologised but was still suspended and fined £300.
He was also involved in a police investigation when he was accused of assaulting a student after a night out in Leeds.
He does seem to have his demons but on the field he is a joy to watch and if Leeds can keep him happy then they have a quality player on their hands for years to come.Hardaker said: “I am really pleased to have signed the new deal. I would like to say thank you to Gary Hetherington for the faith he has shown in me and also the club’s supporters, especially our members who every year show their support for the team and certainly were a big part in why I have committed my future to the club.
“Over the last decade, the fans have been used to a team that grew up together with Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Jamie Jones-Buchanan but obviously things are going to change over the next few years but there is a group of young players here now who want to follow in their footsteps and make our own history here with the Rhinos. It is a really exciting time to be at the club and I am looking forward to the future and achieving more success over the years ahead.”
David Cox
David is Crunch Sport's baseball guru. He's a walking, talking almanac when it comes to stats and facts. His elementary school dreams of playing professionally were scuppered by terrible co-ordination, but luckily his writing skills kept him in touch with his beloved sport through high school and beyond.
David is Crunch Sport's baseball guru. He's a walking, talking almanac when it comes to stats and facts. His elementary school dreams of playing professionally were scuppered by terrible co-ordination, but luckily his writing skills kept him in touch with his beloved sport through high school and beyond.
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