Leeds Rhinos youngster joins Championship club as Featherstone Rovers make key signing
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Hird, 19, is a product of the Stanningley community club and played for Yorkshire academy during his time in Leeds’ under-19s.
He had spells on loan in League One with Cornwall and Hunslet this year, when he was a part-time member of Rhinos’ second-string squad and “has the potential to grow into a brilliant player”, according to Sheffield coach Mark Aston.
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Hide AdHe told Eagles’ website: “He has grown up in fabulous setups, such as the one at Leeds and also in the amateur game with Stanningley.
![Joe Hird in lower grade action for Rhinos against Bradford Bulls. Picture by Craig Hawkhead/Leeds Rhinos.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI0OTlmYzAwLTM5ZTUtNDAyMC1hODE4LWQ5NDVlZjkxZjg4MzpiNDVlNzMyOS0xOWZhLTRlNmUtYWNmZS1lYjNiY2ZmYTMxNTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
![Joe Hird in lower grade action for Rhinos against Bradford Bulls. Picture by Craig Hawkhead/Leeds Rhinos.](/img/placeholder.png)
“We’re excited to see where Joe can go. He is keen to get started and hit the ground running.”
Hird said: “I am very happy to be at Sheffield, it’s a great opportunity for myself [and] I can’t wait to get started.
“Coming through at Leeds has taught me a lot and it was a great experience.
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Hide Ad![Chris Hankinson has joined Featherstone Rovers from Toulouse Olympique. Picture by Fabrice Rodriguez/SWpix.com](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNmMGQ0NDBhLTMxZTgtNDA3My1iNWM0LTJhZTMxOTQ5ZDBhYjo4YTZhMDMyZi00ZTgzLTQxYjUtYjlhZC1kMWFmZDFmMjFlMzc=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
![Chris Hankinson has joined Featherstone Rovers from Toulouse Olympique. Picture by Fabrice Rodriguez/SWpix.com](/img/placeholder.png)
“The move to Sheffield came at the right time for me. I was on the lookout for a club and I am very grateful to Mark for signing me. I hope to impress and get as much game time as possible.”
Meanwhile, former Leeds assistant-boss Sean Long has made his first signing as coach of Featherstone Rovers, bringing in goal-kicking centre Chris Hankinson from Toulouse Olympique.
Long said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Chris to the club. I’m confident he has the attributes needed to strengthen our drive for Super League promotion in 2023.”