Leo Thompson set for club switch in brutal blow to Newcastle Knights…

The Newcastle Knights are set to be hit with a bitter retention blow with star prop Leo Thompson set to leave the club.

Thompson became available to offers from rival clubs on November 1 and could join either the Raiders or Bulldogs, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The New Zealand representative has reportedly told club powerbrokers he will leave at the end of his current contract and reject the Knights’ lucrative extension offer.

Thompson’s decision is a curious one, considering the Knights confirmed the signing of his brother Tyrone in October.

The identical twin previously played for the Chiefs from 2022 to 2024 in the Super Rugby.

He has been signed by the Knights on a development contract with Newcastle head of recruitment describing him as a “very gifted player”.

Leo’s decision leaves the Knights with a hole in the middle if they can’t recruit a replacement for the 2026 season after Daniel Saifiti was given permission to leave and join the Dolphins.

Newcastle have 10 days to convince Leo to change his mind as per the cooling off period rules.