Leeds Rhinos have promoted teenage centre Max Simpson to the first team after he signed a four-year contract with the club.
The 17-year-old has signed a full-time deal with the club and will join Richard Agar's squad when they return to pre-season training on Monday.
A Kippax junior, Simpson takes Corey Hall's place in the squad after he made the move to Wakefield Trinity this week. He will wear the number 28 jersey assigned to Hall before his departure.
“Max is another product of our pathways system," Agar said.
"He’s an extremely dedicated young man, with some real natural centres skills about him. His performances through scholarship and academy have been strong. His development through our system has been rapid and we expect he will thrive in a full time environment.”
Simpson added: “I have been striving for this for a number years since I joined the scholarship and it is amazing to be joining the first team squad. My goal has always been to get into the first team squad and it is fantastic to get this opportunity.
“I have been a Rhinos fans since I was a child and watched the golden generation of players in so many finals, hopefully I can play my part in more success in the future for the club. I would like to thank my academy coaches Chev Walker and Mark Butterill who have given me so much support and advice to get to this stage and I can’t wait to get started."
