LEEDS Rhinos have signed former York Valkyrie and England star Lacey Owen.
The back-rower was amongst 9 confirmed departures from York on the finish of their title-winning 2024 season, having reportedly made the choice to not play this 12 months.
Her departure was an enormous blow for Lindsay Anfield’s aspect, with the 24-year-old having scored in three Women’s Super League Grand Finals – together with every of the final two.
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But the 24-year-old says she is prepared for a “fresh start” at Leeds, the place she’s going to hyperlink again up with prop Grace Field and outdoors again Liv Whitehead, who each made the transfer to Headingley final season.
“I’m pleased to be joining Leeds,” Owen enthused. “It’s a fresh start for myself and I can’t wait for the season to start.
“I loved playing for York, but this was a chance to challenge myself in a new environment and give me a new perspective on myself as a player.
“I want to become the best player I can and Leeds has a lot to offer. The girls are great, so it’ll be nice to push myself around a new group. It’s very professional and everybody has been welcoming.
“There are some familiar faces here, like Liv Whitehead and Grace Field who I know from York, but all the girls are friendly, so it’s been easy to bond with everybody.
“I think learning has always been a big part of my game. So it will be nice to apply everything that I have learned so far in my career here and also to be able to be a voice for some of the younger players who have just started because they’re very talented.
“It will be great to watch them grow and for myself to grow alongside them too.”
Owen has been a prolific Grand Final try-scorer, including this effort against St Helens last year. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) The forward first signed for York in 2022, having come through the ranks at hometown club Castleford Tigers before taking a break from the sport.
She leaves North Yorkshire with a fine record of 15 tries in 28 appearances over the last two seasons, which saw her pick up the club’s Player of the Year in 2023.
There, she was also handed her England debut, scoring within minutes of coming off the bench in a 60-0 rout of Wales at Headingley.
Owen in motion for York in opposition to Leeds Rhinos in final 12 months’s play-off semi-final. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Leeds Rhinos interim head coach Leon Crick added: “Lacey has proven herself at the highest level in Women’s Super League, and we are pleased to be able to bring someone with her experience into this squad.
“She has played in big games and has the kind of quality you need within your squad to keep competition for places high. She’s already fit in well with rest of the team and we are excited by what she can do in 2025.”
