Zak Hardaker: Leeds return like going again to your old skool

Zak Hardaker says will probably be like going again to his old skool after Leeds confirmed his return to Headingley.

The 30-year-old England worldwide, who was a free agent after being sensationally launched by Wigan final Friday, has signed a short-term contract with the membership he made his Tremendous League debut for 11 years in the past.

Hardaker, who gained three Grand Finals with the Rhinos and was named Man of Metal of their treble-winning season in 2015, will spend the remainder of the season with the membership and is prone to go straight into the group to play Hull KR at Headingley on Friday.

The transfer was sparked by a glut of accidents, significantly to Leeds’ exterior backs, and sanctioned by new head coach Rohan Smith, who is because of arrive from Australia in time for Friday’s recreation.

“It’s a unusual feeling in the intervening time,” Hardaker stated. “I suppose a bit like going again to your old skool.

“I’ve fond reminiscences of my time at Leeds and the chance to come back again this yr is absolutely particular.

“I’ve spoken to Rohan Smith so we are able to get a really feel for one another. He’s arriving on the identical week and it was good to grasp what he’s in search of.”

Hardaker scored 67 tries in 155 appearances for Leeds, principally from full-back, after becoming a member of them from Featherstone in 2010 and went on to win two Problem Cups and a League Leaders Defend along with his three triumphs at Previous Trafford.

He left the membership after a run of poor type in 2016  to affix NRL facet Penrith Panthers however made simply 11 appearances for the Australian membership and resurrected his Tremendous League profession with Castleford in 2016.

Hardaker helped the Tigers attain a maiden Grand Last the next yr however was stood down on the eve of the match and subsequently sacked after testing constructive for cocaine.

Wigan threw him a lifeline after he accomplished his medication ban and he went on to play within the 2020 Grand Last however on the finish of the 2021 season he requested to be launched from the ultimate yr of his contract to allow him to return to his Yorkshire roots.

Wigan refused his request however dropped him earlier this month for “failing to achieve off-field requirements” and final week agreed to chop their losses.

Hardaker added: “The best way I left Wigan wasn’t the best way I wished to depart the membership however I want to thank everybody there for the chance to play for Wigan.

“This began final yr once I wished to get an opportunity to come back residence again to Yorkshire with my household.

“I’ve received that chance fortunately with Leeds and I can’t wait to play in these Friday night time video games in entrance of a packed South Stand once more.

“It’s undoubtedly a case of ‘you don’t realise what you’ve received till it’s gone’ and I believe I let my time on the Rhinos the primary time move me by.

“Once I left Wigan, I wasn’t considering of any particular membership to go to however simply wished to get again to Yorkshire and see what occurred from there.

“After our historical past collectively, I used to be stunned and overwhelmed when Leeds got here calling and I need to take advantage of this chance, I believe it’s a deal that works effectively for everybody involved.”

Leeds chief government Gary Hetherington stated: “We’ve needed to transfer rapidly to safe the providers of Zak for the rest of the season.

“The short-term contract works for all events on this distinctive state of affairs and I’m certain Zak might be aiming to indicate his greatest type on the sector now he’s again in blue and amber.”