North Queensland Cowboys forward Kai O'Donnell has been rumoured to make a return to the Leigh Leopards, with coach Adrian Lam publicly expressing his interest in getting a deal done.
Love Rugby League is reporting a deal was looking to be prepared to have O'Donnell make an immediate transfer, but with fresh opportunities in the Cowboys NRL side and the Super League's transfer window deadline fast approaching, it is looking like it will have to be pushed back to 2027.
Super League clubs are expected to have their squads for 2026 finalised by August 21, and cannot sign players for this year past that deadline.
The Leopards have just secured Jack Ashworth, casting a significant amount of doubt on O'Donnell making the early switch before next year.
Lam remained poised to strike a deal when the time is right.
“The question has been asked: would we be interested in bringing Kai to Super League, and that's on Kai,” Lam said, as per Love Rugby League.
“If he is going to head back to the UK, then we're certainly a club that would be interested. He broke a lot of hearts with our fans and players when he left, and he's a player we would love back.
“But I presume that's in the future and now potentially not this week. Having said that, I know Kai played for North Queensland this week, and they're in the eight, I believe; I think his focus will be on that rather than his future immediately, but if we find out anything further this week, we'll let you know.”
The PNG legend didn't rule out a last-minute Houdini act to get one more deal happen before Friday.
“We're always looking, talking, and communicating. There's still a couple of days to manoeuvre and talk to people, but at this time, that's probably it. We do have a window financially to bring one or two more in financially if we choose to."
During his three-year stint at Leigh, O'Donnell played 77 games for the club, scoring 31 tries.
O'Donnell was part of the historic 2023 Leopards side and following their rebrand, they won the Challenge Cup final and finished in the top-six.
He made the switch to North Queensland in 2025 after a brief four games in the nation's capital in 2020.
The 27-year-old backrower most recently featured for the Cowboys on the weekend, playing 23 minutes in the club's two-point loss to the Eels.
The Cowboys have a timely bye this weekend and look set to just scrape through into the top eight for a 2026 finals campaign.
