Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has hinted that some more overseas players could be joining the club in the off-season.
The Leopards, who currently have nine quota players on their books, have one more registration spot open for 2027 – that is of course the club decide to let someone current on-contract leave the Leigh Sports Village.
David Armstrong, Joe Ofahengaue and Edwin Ipape are some of the standout names in the Leopards line-up, and they could soon be joined by another overseas star.
Kai O’Donnell has been heavily linked with a move back to the Leopards’ Den, following his exit at the end of the 2024 season. He is currently without a contract at the North Queensland Cowboys, however the NRL did not include him in their released list, which suggests talks are still ongoing.
Club owner Beaumont, who this week revealed that star half-back Lachlan Lam had waved away his opportunity to play for Papua New Guinea in the World Cup to have wrist surgery, has stated that he is headed for Australia, in what is a trip that includes both personal and professional meetings.
Leopards duo Edwin Ipape and Liam Horne have both been selected for PNG, and they will face England in the final group game before the semi-finals.
In the same statement as referenced above, Beaumont said: “I am fortunate enough to be attending most of the games in Australia, and I am looking forward to watching Edwin and Liam, whilst obviously supporting England in our fixture against them.”
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Revealing that some recruitment business could be done whilst he is down under, the outspoken owner said: “I am also looking forward to meeting up with many friends who have been involved in the Club in the past, and I will be taking my favourite pen with me, as we still have a bit of significant business to do with the two overseas spots we have available.”
Beaumont believing the Leopards have two quota spots free could just be a slip of the tongue, or it could suggest that a current player has left the club and the side are yet to announce his exit.
Current Leigh Leopards quota players: David Armstrong, Tesi Niu, Lazarus Vaalepu* (all 2027), Adam Cook, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Joe Ofahengaue, Liam Horne (all 2028), Edwin Ipape (2031), Tevita Pangai Jr (unknown contract length)
*Vaalepu has an option for 2028 in his contract
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