NRL contract news: Lachlan Miller granted early release from Knights, signs three-year deal with Leeds Rhinos

Liam O'Loughlin

NRL contract news: Lachlan Miller granted early release from Knights, signs three-year deal with Leeds Rhinos image

Knights utility Lachlan Miller has been granted an early release by the club, inking a three-year deal with Super League club Leeds Rhinos.

The 29-year-old joined Newcastle this season and started the year at fullback, before being shuffled out of the side in favour of Kalyn Ponga after just 11 matches. 

The former Rugby Sevens standout first transitioned into the rugby league in 2022, making sporadic appearances for Cronulla before heading to the Hunter region. 

Miller was contracted until the end of 2025 with the Knights, but will head to the UK at the end of this year. 

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Lachlan Miller granted early release by Newcastle Knights

Newcastle confirmed the news in a brief statement on Wednesday night, before Miller explained his decision and excitement about joining the English-based club.

"I am looking forward to joining such a prestigious club as Leeds Rhinos and excited to come across having spoken with Rohan and Gary to be part of the culture at Headingley," he said. 

"I really enjoyed my footie at the start of this season and I want to bring that to the Rhinos.

"It is a big change for my family, we have a newborn and two-year-old so it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young family that we are ready to embrace and make the most of.

"I watch a fair bit of the Super League competition on TV over here in Australia and I am fortunate to be joining such a great club and hopefully I can add to the culture.

"I know the club has a history of mixing a core young English lads with the overseas guys and I can't wait to play in front of the passionate Leeds fans at Headingley."

Miller will join the likes of David Fusitu'a and Zane Tetevano as former NRL players at Leeds. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.