Leeds boss confirms Jack Broadbent will depart club permanently at end of season

Leeds head coach Rohan Smith has now put the rubber stamp on Jack Broadbent’s permanent departure from the club. 

Broadbent has already agreed terms with a new club – heavily believed to be Castleford – for 2023 and beyond.

The 21-year-old joined Championship side Featherstone on loan until the end of the season earlier this week.

He posted a farewell message on Instagram after the deal had been announced. And now Rhinos boss Smith has confirmed Broadbent’s exit.

“Jack’s moving on next season. To my knowledge, he had already secured his future elsewhere prior to me arriving,” said Smith.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily that it hasn’t worked out here for him. He’s played a bunch of games and he’s done well at times, but there are just other, more seasoned players.

“He’s been available [for selection], it’s just that we’ve chosen others. [David] Fusitu’a has returned, Liam Sutcliffe has returned, and Harry Newman also, so there’s quality players that were just ahead of Jack.

“They’re experienced, veteran, high-quality players. There’s no shame in not being selected as a young player when we have others with more credentials.”

Centre Broadbent came through the Rhinos academy. His first-team debut came in 2020, just prior to Leeds’ Challenge Cup triumph.

Able to play in numerous positions, he scored four tries as a winger in a 48-18 win over Leigh last season.

This term however, he has only featured five times for the Rhinos. The last of those came in Smith’s first game in charge, a defeat away at Salford.

An England Knights international, Broadbent leaves Headingley with a total of 22 Leeds appearances.

On Broadbent’s loan move to Featherstone, Smith added, “He was looking for regular game time in the coming months, and I