Young forward Leon Cowen has signed with a new club on a permanent basis for 2027 following his end-of-season release from St Helens.

Cowen, who can play across the pack, made just two appearances for St Helens, both of which came in Super League in 2025. The 21-year-old spent the majority of his time at Saints out on loan with Swinton Lions and Halifax Panthers the two sides to benefit.

In total, Cowen represented Swinton on 12 occasions whilst playing 19 times for Halifax with nine of those appearances coming in 2026 after joining them on a season-long loan back in January.

Despite not playing for St Helens in 2026, Cowen unfortunately fell to the same injury spate that many in a Red Vee did, with the young forward missing all of April, May and much of June.

He was one of eight players whose departure St Helens confirmed at the end of the year with the club noting his achievements during his time wearing the Red Vee – one such achievement being that he captained the club in the 2023 Academy Grand Final.

Ahead of 2027, Cowen has now re-signed with Halifax Panthers but on a permanent basis with Kyle Eastmond’s squad coming together nicely.

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Ex-St Helens forward signs for Halifax Panthers

The Panthers had a very difficult 2026 season as they were docked points and lost several players after falling into financial disrepair, however, they’ve backed head coach Eastmond and they’re now making signings to get back on the right track.

Cowen is one of those signings with a club social media post announcing him as the ‘next Panthers signing for the 2027 season’, as Cowen went on to explain what it meant to re-join the club.

He said: “I’m really excited about 2027 and feel like we’re really building something with the squad being put together. I can’t wait to put on the blue and white for another year.”

Fax have previously signed former Hull KR and Toulouse man AJ Wallace, another pack signing that shows they are serious about making a return to the top end of the Championship in 2027.

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