FORMER England scrum-half Richie Myler will join Leeds on a three-year contract from next season.

The 27-year-old former Widnes, Salford and Warrington half-back is in his second season with Catalans Dragons but is keen to return to England for family reasons and jumped at the chance to sign for Brian McDermott's side.

"I am delighted to have signed for the Rhinos and can't wait to get started when I join up with the boys at the end of the season," said Myler, who won six caps for England.

"It is the perfect move for me and my family and we are all very much looking forward to it.

"I had a number of chats with Brian McDermott about the direction the club is going in and his thought process about what I could offer to the Rhinos.

"It was important to know the way the team is going and that Brian wanted me as part of that. It was really appealing to me and the best fit for me as a player.

"Leeds is a big club and a club that is always fighting for silverware and at the top of the league.

"I have loved my time in the south of France. It is a beautiful part of the world and Catalans Dragons have been amazing with me and my family. We have made friends for life and I have enjoyed my time in Perpignan.

"But it is now the right time for us to move home to England and this was the best opportunity for me. This was the one that I was really excited about and when the chance came to join the Rhinos, it was too good an opportunity to turn down."

Myler's recruitment will increase speculation over the future of Leeds' veteran half-backs Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow, both 34, who are out of contract at the end of the season.

McDermott said: "We are pleased to have secured a player of Richie's quality and experience to the club. Having spoken to him over the past few weeks, I have been impressed by his determination to succeed.

"Given the nature of the sport now in the salary cap era, when a player like Richie becomes available there is going to be a lot of interest in him.

"I am sure he received many very good offers, however it was telling for me that he committed to the Rhinos because he believes in what we are trying to achieve here."