Leeds Rhinos sign NRL Grand Final winner from Sydney Roosters

On a two-year deal, the Australian center will transfer from Sydney Roosters to Rhinos in preseason.
He will stand in directly for Nene Macdonald, who was released from the final four years of his contract on Wednesday after choosing to leave the Rhinos at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Momirovski, who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 15 stone, started his first-class career in 2018 with the Roosters and later played for the Penrith Panthers in their victory over South Sydney in the Grand Final two years ago.
He has also played for the Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm in the past.

He joined the Roosters again the previous year, but a shoulder injury limited him to just three games this year.
However, he did play in last month’s play-off loss to Melbourne.
He has played in 60 NRL games and scored 26 tries along with 24 goals.

In 2022, against the Canberra Raiders, Paul Momirovski celebrates a Roosters goal.
Image courtesy of Mark Nolan/Getty Images.

Momirovski declared, “I am thrilled to be joining the Rhinos.”.
“As soon as I spoke with [coach] Rohan Smith, I felt that our philosophies on rugby league were in line, and I thought it would be a great fit for me and the following phase of my career.

Working with the coaches and players at Leeds will help me because I still feel like I have a lot to learn.
I’ve had the honor of representing some outstanding NRL teams, and I firmly believe that there is always room for improvement.
“.

Trent Robinson, a former Catalans Dragons head coach, worked with Momirovski at Roosters.
He spoke very highly of Rohan and the Rhinos, and the center went on to say, “I think it will be a great combination with all the other boys at Leeds.

“Every decision I have made throughout my career has made me a better person and helped me discover my best rugby league style.

Roosters player Paul Momirovski in action during the 2017 NRL Nines.
Image courtesy of www.photosport.nz/SWpix.com and David Rowland.

It will be difficult to relocate to the other side of the globe, but I am looking forward to it.
The atmosphere in those jam-packed stadiums looks insane, and I can’t wait to play in front of them and become fully immersed in Leeds and Yorkshire’s cultures.
“.

Momirovski will join the Rhinos at the beginning of the new year after tying the knot in Australia in December.

“Paul was a player we had identified for 2025 because he was contracted to the Roosters next season, so it is great we have been able to bring him in a year earlier,” Smith said.
“.

The Leeds manager continued, “As a young player, I watched Paul progress through the Roosters system.

“He is a deep thinker about the game, highly skilled, and has good footwork. He has excellent game awareness, particularly with his defense work, and is a strong communicator on the field for whichever team he has been in.

He has experience working with some of the best modern coaches in the game and has been a part of several successful NRL systems.

“In addition to winning the Grand Final with Penrith, he has also participated in finals with the Roosters and Melbourne, so he is aware of what it takes to contend for trophies.
“.

The management of Momirovski and the Roosters were thanked by Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington for “making this move go through so smoothly.”.

“I think everyone wins from the move, and I am definitely excited to see Paul pull on the Rhinos shirt next season and really carve out a name for himself here in the Super League,” he said.
“.

Lachie Miller from the Newcastle Knights, Matt Frawley from the Canberra Raiders, and Mickael Goudemand from the Catalans Dragons are three NRL recruits who will join Momirovski at the Rhinos the following season.