A stalwart in the Wests Tigers front-row for some years now, a new adventure awaits Keith Galloway, as he signs a three-year deal with the Leeds Rhinos.
The 29-year old will depart the Tigers at the end of the season after being given a release from the final year of his contract to make the move to England.
Joining the Tigers back in 2006, Galloway has gone on to play in a total of 204 NRL games to date and coach Jason Taylor was quick to praise the prop for his achievements at the club.
“Keith has become not only a favourite amongst our fans – but also with our playing group and staff during his time at the Club,†Taylor said.
“Since I started at Wests Tigers last year, Keith has been the ultimate professional in every aspect.
“Keith has been offered a great opportunity to play overseas and we are all really excited for him.â€
Echoing the praise for the Yarrawarrah Tigers junior was interim CEO Phil Moss.
“We want to thank Keith for his tireless services for Wests Tigers – both on and off the field,†he said.
“As we all know Keith, has achieved plenty in the game but I also want to acknowledge some great work in the community he has done over the years.
“The opportunity with Leeds is a good one for himself and his young family; we wish Keith all the best once he departs at season’s end.â€
2011 saw Galloway represent both NSW and Australia, in addition to three appearances in the annual City-Country clash.
Galloway is excited about the move to Leeds and looks forward to playing in England after hearing great things from current Tigers team-mate, Pat Richards.
“I am really excited to be coming to the Rhinos. I can’t wait to get over there and play for Leeds,” said Galloway.
“It is a different style of competition but I have watched it on TV and the chance to go over there and play in Super League is something that excites me.
I am pretty close with Pat Richards and he obviously off to Catalans next season. He loved his time in England and when I mentioned to him that I was thinking about heading to the Super League competition he told me I would love it.
When people like that tell you how good it is you take those comments on board.”
Knowing how successful Leeds have been, Galloway was keen to get among the group of players and hopefully, from his perspective, secure a senior trophy.
“One of the reasons I was sold on the Rhinos was the chance to be part of a team that is competing for silverware,” said Galloway.
“I have never tasted success at senior level and hopefully I can achieve that at Leeds.
I know the team are going really well and I am looking forward to watching the boys for the remainder of the season so I can familiarize myself with everyone’s names and get to know how the team plays before I get over here.”
Galloway is also keen to make the most of the opportunity and of the lifestyle in England.
“I have always had a desire to come and play in the UK in my career and I have had the opportunity to stay in Leeds on a number of occasions when I have been over.
It is a great city and I am looking forward to making it my home and being part of the English lifestyle,” added Galloway.
With some young forward packs coming through the ranks, the signing of a veteran prop like Galloway will help to complement the side’s forward pack.
“It is very pleasing to have reached agreement with Keith to bring him to the Rhinos,” said Leeds coach Brian McDermott.
“He is a highly experienced forward who will add to the group we already have in place for next season with the likes of Adam Cuthbertson, Mitch Garbutt and Brad Singleton.
He is a no-nonsense front rower who will take the team forward. Importantly, when you speak to anyone about him as a person, they can not speak highly enough of him.
Having played for Australia and New South Wales, he is a significant signing for us and I am looking forward to the end of the year when he joins up with us.”
CEO Gary Hetherington also praised the signing as well as the Tigers for the way they dealt with the situation.
“We are delighted to have attracted a player of the quality and experience of Keith to the Rhinos,” said Hetherington.
“I would like to thank Wests Tigers for how they have handled the matter with us and we look forward to welcoming Keith into the Rhinos family ahead of 2016.”