ZAK Hardaker says the security of a two-year deal was the clinching factor in his decision to sign for Leigh Leopards.

But the club’s pursuit of the former Leeds, Wigan and Castleford full-back reckons could have been easier had he known of Ricky Leutele’s capture.

The new Leopards only realised each had signed when arriving for last week’s great reveal press conference.

“It might have made my answer a bit easier,” laughed the 31-year-old dad of two. “They didn’t even mention anything about the new name or crest when I first spoke to them.

“But I am thrilled to be here. You can see with the players they have gone after how passionate Derek Beaumont is.

“He doesn’t just want Leigh to be in Super League passionate he wants them to be able to compete.

“The deal I got offered from Leeds wasn’t good enough for me. Money wise it wasn’t great, and I had to do what is best for me and my family.”

Hardaker says his children aged nearly two and four-months have been a calming influence on him.

“I am still a fun person to be around, but the kids mean I must be squeaky clean and have to be good. To have a boy and girl is amazing and everything I do is for them.”

Hardaker says the chance to work again with head coach Adrian Lam was another reason for his decision to become an M62 commuter.

“He is a top bloke and if you are good with people the rest takes care of itself. When I met Lammy he gave me a big cuddle. He’s like a friend so you want to play for him, not let him down and treat him with the utmost respect. He is a coach who lets players express themselves.”

Leutele joins Leigh after two seasons at Huddersfield, also rejecting attempts by his previous club to retain his services.

“It was on going, back and forth with my manager and the club,” he explained. “But we could not get on the same page and I am grateful to get a two-year deal at Leigh.

“I only knew Zak had signed when I got to the ground for the press conference and Neil Jukes told me I would be doing it with Zak.

“But it was a good squad before all these other signings were confirmed. Growing up in Queensland, I knew of Lammy as a State of Origin legend but this will be the first time I have worked under him. I am excited to be coached by him.”

Leigh officials unveiled their Leopards rebrand and a stack of new signings at last Thursday’s press conference.

A significant number of extended player contracts have also been announced, along with a club record sponsorship deal with Homes Together Ltd and a tie-in with Leigh Miners Rangers that means the Leopards will have a team in the Betfred Women’s Super League next season as well.

The new signings, along with Hardaker and Leutele, are Tom Briscoe from Leeds Rhinos on a two-year deal; Matty Davis (Warrington, two years); Jacob Gannon (Warrington, two years); Ollie Holmes (Warrington, two years); Jack Hughes (Warrington, two years); Robbie Mulhern (Warrington, two years); Gareth O’Brien (Castleford, two years); Nathan Wilde (Newcastle Thunder, one year); along with Tom Nisbet and Aaron Smith’s loans from St Helens being made permanent.

Along with the renewals, this is Leigh’s current 2023 squad: Keanan Brand, Nene Macdonald, Tom Nisbet, Ben Reynolds, Joe Mellor, Aaron Smith, Joe Wardle, Tom Amone, Ed Chamberlain, Jacob Jones, John Asiata, Edwin Ipape, Kai O’Donnell, Ben Nakubuwai, Blake Ferguson, Josh Charnley, Lachlan Lam, Tom Briscoe, Matt Davis, Jacob Gannon, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Holmes, Jack Hughes, Ricky Leutele, Robbie Mulhern, Gareth O’Brien, Nathan Wilde.

Leopards will be merging with current Women’s Super League side Leigh Miners Rangers and will be going into the league pyramid at the same level that Rangers have been competing in this past season.

Leopards operations manager Neil Jukes finalised the merger after extensive discussions involving Rangers head coach Nigel Johnson, team manager Steve Quinn, player welfare officer Genna Banks, team captain Mairead Quinn and senior player Keli Morris.

Jukes said: “I’d like to acknowledge the hard work that Nigel, Steve, Genna, Mairead, Keli and many others have done to further women’s rugby league in the borough. The pathway that Leigh Miners Rangers have put in place is an outstanding one.

“As Leigh Leopards we want to add awareness and further participation through a great player pathway to an already outstanding set-up.

“This process started 12 months or so ago on their application to join the Women’s Super League and we’ve had open and transparent talks along the way.

“At our recent meeting all those present agreed that to progress the existing Super League club, and adapt and embrace the current team that a merger was beneficial.

“We will inherit a lot of great people who share a common goal to develop and grow women’s rugby league and make this club the best it can be. We will devote as much time and effort into making it a success as we do the men’s Super League team.”

He added: “The finer detail will be ratified in the next few days, after further dialogue with the Rugby Football League. But as we build up to the start of next season this is an exciting and momentous step forward for women’s Rugby League and the opportunities it creates.”

Leigh Miners Rangers are already a force to be reckoned with in the women’s game, as they boast the accolade of being the first ever community club to play in Women’s Super League.

A women’s team for 11 years with a girls’ section ranging from U11s to U16s, Rangers have won four Grand Finals with their most recent being the 2021 League Leaders’ and Grand Final Winners that saw them gain promotion to the highest level in the women’s game.

Every player and member of staff has been offered their current role from Leigh Miners Rangers at the newly founded Leigh Leopards Women’s team.

Club Welfare Officer and committee member Genna Banks highlighted the past sponsorship and support of Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont towards the women’s teams as she looked forward to the new season.

“It’s the next step in progressing the women’s game in Leigh for us,” she said.

“We have been successful in establishing teams through the various levels but to move to the elite level, this merger is exactly what we need.

“Derek has always been really supportive of Leigh Miners, whether through sponsorship or purchasing kits, so it was only right that we merged with him and Leigh Leopards to get to the highest step.”

Salford Red Devils are newcomers to the BWSL in 2023, joining Leigh Leopards, Barrow Raiders, Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers and Featherstone Rovers in Group 2.

Warrington Wolves earned promotion to Group 1 with their Play-Off Final victory over Featherstone last month, and they will join Huddersfield Giants, the champions Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and another new name, York Valkyrie, following a rebrand for the 2022 Grand Finalists.