Aussie forward, Brett Delaney, has ruled out a return Down Under in order to commit his long-term future to Super League champions, Leeds Rhinos, after signing a new five-year contract, effectively committing himself to the club for the remainder of his career.
The former Gold Coast Titan had two years left on his existing deal, but Delaney has now penned a deal that keeps him at Headingley Carnegie until the end of the 2018 season, dashing any NRL teams’ hopes of signing the 27-year old.
After coming through the ranks at the Parramatta Eels, Delaney really burst on the scene with an impressive two years on the Gold Coast with the Titans. It was that form that caught the eye of the Leeds Rhinos in 2010; since then, Delaney has gone on to establish himself as one of the club’s most consistent performers.
Despite being linked with a number of clubs back in Australia on www.betfair.com, Delaney has denied he was looking to return to the NRL; instead, making it clear it was an ‘easy’ decision to sign a new contract in England when Rhinos chief executive, Gary Hetherington, came knocking.
“I am very happy at the Rhinos and was happy to see out the remaining two years of my contract here and see where that took me. There was a lot of rubbish coming out of Australia saying that I was looking to move home but that was never my intention,” revealed Delaney.
“It was flattering that clubs were enquiring about me but I have never felt more at home at a club than I do at the Rhinos. When Gary Hetherington offered me a five year contract, the decision was an easy one and it feels good to know that I will be playing out the remainder of my career at this great club.”
