Kruise Leeming will return to the Huddersfield Giants in 2027, having secured a release from his contract at Wigan Warriors.
Leeming, who still had another year left on his deal at the Brick Community Stadium, has spent 2026 on a season-long loan at the Catalans Dragons in order to remove his wage from the salary cap.
The former Leeds and Gold Coast man last played for the Cherry and Whites in the 2025 Grand Final defeat to Hull KR, and this year has played almost every game under Joel Tomkins, Ryan Sheridan and John Cartwright.
With Wigan needing to offload him due to the cap, the one-time England international has been able to return to his former club, and the club he made his name at.
Leeming becomes the Giants’ third signing for 2027, joining ex-teammates in Jaimin Jolliffe (Gold Coast) and fellow number nine Jeylan Hodgson at the club.
He is set to partner Zac Woolford in the position, with boss Jim Lenihan showing he likes to use two hookers in his 17.
Leeming has signed a three-year deal to play at Dewsbury’s FLAIR Stadium – the venue the club will be moving to next season.
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Kruise Leeming sets out silverware goal after Huddersfield Giants return
Commenting on the signing, Giants Director of Rugby, Andy Kelly, said: “I’m really excited about Kruise returning to the club.
“He’s been to Leeds, a spell in Australia and has come back and proven himself back in Super League with Wigan and Catalans. Watching him in recent weeks, including his appearance at the Accu Stadium, he’s been one of Catalans’ standout players and changes the game when he comes on to the field.
“What Kruise brings is, not just the guile that goes with a hooker, and that includes his running game, but he brings leadership qualities that we’ll need going into the next couple of seasons.”
Leeming is confident that he can help the club win trophies over the next three seasons, with a bold goal laid out. He said: “I’m really excited, it feels like a new adventure.
“I was a different player back then, the whole team is different, it’s exciting for me to go back to Huddersfield. I want to win something at the club that give me the chance to start my career as a professional, it would be the biggest achievement of my career, it’s big words but it’s the truth.
“There’s a lot of players at the club I can learn from. Zac [Woolford]’s a really good hooker, and we’ll work well together. The club has had a great end to the season, and it’s crucial to carry that on into 2027, which is a really exciting year for the club.”
