Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield (left) will switch codes to Rugby Union at the end of the current Super League season, to join Yorkshire Carnegie on an 18-month contract.
The former England captain and current Leeds number 13 has played his entire career at the Leeds Rhinos, appearing over 490 times for the Yorkshire-based side.
Sinfield, who is close to becoming only the fourth player to appear 500 times for the Rhinos, announced: "This was one of the toughest decisions of my career but I know the time is right for me to finish my time in rugby league and embark on a new challenge with Yorkshire Carnegie," said Sinfield.
"I never wanted to play against the Rhinos and, throughout my career, I have always had an admiration for rugby union and wanted to challenge myself in that code.
"I am fortunate as a professional player in this era that opportunities like this exist for me, and it is something I want to grab with both hands."
Sinfield, who has won the Super League title 6 times, the Golden Boot and 3 World Club Challenges added: "It is a new challenge for me, and I know I will have a lot to learn. However, we spend a lot of time with the Carnegie players at our training ground so that will help me settle in.
"My entire adult life has been spent at Leeds Rhinos and I am extremely grateful for all the support I have had over the past two decades.
"My goal now is to do whatever I can to make sure we have further success this year and finish the season and my Rhinos career on the best possible note."
Liam Sutcliffe will now be looked at to fill in the boots of the successful Kevin Sinfield. ...No pressure, Liam!
Jamie Peacock is also set to leave the Leeds Rhinos at the end of the current Super League season to join Yorkshire side Hull KR with the role as football manager.
On the announcement, Peacock said: "I have had a great time at Leeds and learnt so much about how the club is run from top to bottom.
"Hull KR are a club with huge potential in a city that is rugby league mad."
"Now that I have the next chapter of my career finalised, I am fully focused on finishing my time with Leeds as strongly as possible and leaving my home town club in the best possible position."
The former England captain and current Leeds number 13 has played his entire career at the Leeds Rhinos, appearing over 490 times for the Yorkshire-based side.
Sinfield, who is close to becoming only the fourth player to appear 500 times for the Rhinos, announced: "This was one of the toughest decisions of my career but I know the time is right for me to finish my time in rugby league and embark on a new challenge with Yorkshire Carnegie," said Sinfield.
"I never wanted to play against the Rhinos and, throughout my career, I have always had an admiration for rugby union and wanted to challenge myself in that code.
"I am fortunate as a professional player in this era that opportunities like this exist for me, and it is something I want to grab with both hands."
Sinfield, who has won the Super League title 6 times, the Golden Boot and 3 World Club Challenges added: "It is a new challenge for me, and I know I will have a lot to learn. However, we spend a lot of time with the Carnegie players at our training ground so that will help me settle in.
"My entire adult life has been spent at Leeds Rhinos and I am extremely grateful for all the support I have had over the past two decades.
"My goal now is to do whatever I can to make sure we have further success this year and finish the season and my Rhinos career on the best possible note."
Liam Sutcliffe will now be looked at to fill in the boots of the successful Kevin Sinfield. ...No pressure, Liam!
Jamie Peacock is also set to leave the Leeds Rhinos at the end of the current Super League season to join Yorkshire side Hull KR with the role as football manager.
On the announcement, Peacock said: "I have had a great time at Leeds and learnt so much about how the club is run from top to bottom.
"Hull KR are a club with huge potential in a city that is rugby league mad."
"Now that I have the next chapter of my career finalised, I am fully focused on finishing my time with Leeds as strongly as possible and leaving my home town club in the best possible position."