Leeds Rhinos' retention drive has continued with Papua New Guinea international Nene Macdonald signing a new deal with the club. The outside back has signed a four-year deal with the club, keeping him at Headingley until the end of 2027.
Macdonald has performed consistently for Leeds since he arrived from Leigh Leopards, featuring at both centre and wing. The Kumuls Test centre had previously played in the NRL for a number of clubs, playing almost 100 times.
He becomes the latest Leeds player to sign a contract extension with the club, following in the footsteps of Sam Lisone, Ash Handley and Jarrod O'Connor among others.
"I am really excited to commit my future to the club," he said. "It was a big decision for me and my family, especially because of all the guys back home in Australia. It was almost an easy decision in the end though as the club have looked after me and I have felt nothing but love since I arrived at Leeds. It has been great to get to know the city as well and I have grown to love it here. It has been so welcoming since the first day that I arrived."
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Macdonald's focus is now on creating new history for the club. He said: "I looked at everything before I signed, I think it is an amazing club and I believe we are going to do amazing things.
"Looking at the boys we have got around the club, it is a good club to be around. I want to win Grand Finals and Challenge Cups and be part of a team that sets the bar high again, just as it used to be here at Leeds. Hopefully, we can start our own generation of success and that is my goal for the next four years."
Coach Rohan Smith, who previously coached him at Norths Devils, added: “I am delighted for Nene that he has agreed a long-term deal to stay at the club. I know that he feels at home here at the Rhinos and he has become an integral part of our group in a relatively short time since his move to Headingley. I know he is a player that gets our fans excited when he is on the ball and I am looking forward to seeing more to come from him."
