LEEDS have pulled off a major signing in former Australian Test forward Trent Merrin from Penrith.

The 29-year-old prop, who has played over 200 games in the NRL, becomes the Rhinos' second marquee signing for 2019 after agreeing a four-year contract.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "This is hugely significant for not just Leeds Rhinos but the Super League competition and shows the ambition of our club to compete at the very top of the game."

New Leeds coach Dave Furner spoke of his desire to sign Merrin on his first day in the country a week ago and the club say they fought off competition from a number of NRL clubs for his signature.

Merrin, who played for New South Wales and won the last of his seven caps for the Kangaroos against New Zealand in 2017, is the Rhinos' fifth recruit for 2019 and their second marquee signing following the arrival of Samoa centre Konrad Hurrell.

"I have done everything I possibly could in the NRL and this is a great opportunity for me to come to a great club with a fantastic culture and hopefully achieve some goals together," Merrin said.

Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield said: "We are delighted to have signed Trent and look forward to welcoming him to the Rhinos club.

"He is an international class forward who was a regular last season for Penrith Panthers in the NRL.

"He has an outstanding reputation in Australia for his leadership within a group and is someone who has played for a decade at the highest level of the game. He will complement our current group of forwards and is another indication of the ambition of the club to move forward into a new exciting era."