New Leeds Rhinos signing Mitch Achurch almost quit rugby league 12 months ago.

The 24-year-old Penrith Panthers forward has signed a four-year contract with the Rhinos after his potential was spotted by former Leeds favourite Matt Adamson.

“My career has taken off in the last 12 months,” Achurch told Leeds’ website therhinos.co.uk. “A year ago I was thinking about quitting the game. Playing footy wasn’t paying the bills and I was living at home with my mum and dad.

“My dad runs a family sign-making business and I told him that I wanted to give it up and work with him. My family persuaded me to keep trying and I got a chance with Penrith, then got to play first grade and then Leeds got in touch.”

Achurch is in England on a two-week reconnaissance to sort out accommodation before returning for pre-season training in November and will be a spectator at the Rhinos’ Super League play-off semi-final at Wigan Warriors.

Achurch has a British passport because his mother was born in London.