Leeds Rhinos have today announced that they have agreed a world record fee with Cardiff RUFC and the Welsh Rugby Football Union for their captain Iestyn Harris, 25. Harris, who has been ruled out for the rest of season with a hand injury, will join Cardiff with immediate effect.

Harris originally signed for Leeds in April 1997 for a club record fee and subsequently signed a four-year extension in December 1999 that made him one of the top paid players in world rugby. He has captained Leeds since 1998, leading the team to the Grand Final in 1998, winning the Challenge Cup for the first time in 21 years in 1999 and returning to the Challenge Cup Final in 2000.

Commenting on the world record transfer Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said: ‘We have

constantly rebuffed the Welsh RFU approaches however the situation changed recently when Iestyn made it very plain to the board that he wanted to leave at the end of the season and take up a contract offer with the Welsh RFU and Cardiff. An offer from Wales quickly followed to our club and negotiations began for the first time with Cardiff and Wales.

‘We are obviously disappointed to be losing a player of Iestyn’s ability but I believe in the circumstances we have negotiated the best deal for the club and the proceeds will be invested entirely in the Rhinos club and team,’ added Hetherington.

On a personal note Hetherington said of his first major signing when he came to the club; ‘Iestyn has given the club and the game a great deal over the past five years and he will leave with sadness but our very best wishes.’

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Phil Daly
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