A SECOND young star has left Leigh Centurions to join a Super League club.

Teenage second rower David Toothill has been snapped up by Leeds Rhinos to play in their Academy side, less than a week after the departure of highly-rated prop Adam Bibey to Widnes Vikings.

Toothill, a member of the England under-17s elite squad, has moved to Headingley on a four-month trial basis with the promise of a full-time contract at the end. In the meantime the Oldham-based back rower will continue his Sports Science studies at Tameside College.

"It's not the same scenario as Adam Bibey," says Centurions chief executive Allan Rowley. "David had already left Leigh by mutual consent. It's not a question of Leeds taking him from us. We had released him."

Ironically it was Bibey's performances against the Aussies that re-kindled Widnes's interest.

Vikings boss Neil Kelly said: "We tried to sign Adam when he first turned professional, but we missed out to Leigh. He did very well in the Tests against the Aussies and when we made a few enquires found that he had a get-out clause in his contract."

Bibey's contract, struck when Tommy Cunningham was Leigh's chief executive, stated that he could leave for a minimum of £10,000 if a Super League club came in for his services.

Although Leigh desperately wanted the younger brother of Saints' new recruit,Ricky Bibey, to stay at Hilton Park, their hands were tied contracturally and morally.