RYAN Brierley has re-joined Leigh on loan from Toronto Wolfpack until the end of the 2019 season.

Brierley, 27, who scored five tries and kicked seven goals in four games for the Centurions during a loan spell from Toronto earlier this season, will be eligible to play in all Leigh fixtures for the remainder of the year, including the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup and Betfred Championship play offs.

Leigh Centurions Head Coach John Duffy said: "Ryan didn't want to leave Leigh after his loan spell and he's been trying his hardest to get his release from Toronto for the opportunity to get his career back on track.

"He was great for us and added real value to the squad. He scored some fantastic tries.

"It's a different scenario now. He's got to force his way into a team that's on a winning run and playing well. It's a great headache for me as a coach as competition for places is hotting up in all positions at this crucial stage of the season."

Brierley said: "Going back on loan to Leigh was like I'd never been away. Leigh's where me and my family call home and where I've played my best rugby. The lads themselves, the fans and Duffs played a massive part in me making this decision.

"In the short time I had back the improvement in my game was massive and I owe Leigh Centurions a massive thanks for having faith in me and rescuing me from a dark place.

"It's been a tough and confusing eight to ten months for me and coming back to Leigh is fantastic. At one stage I thought it would never happen but I'm so happy it has.

"I've a few career milestones to try and achieve and to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the all-time legends of Leigh Centurions, a club that has a long and proud history in the game, is tear-jerking stuff.

"To cement my place in the history of the club would be my proudest achievement personally but Rugby League is a team game and I'll be doing my all to help the team achieve its goals.

"I'm really grateful to Derek Beaumont, John Duffy and everyone at Leigh Centurions for the faith they've shown in me and the support I've had from the fans is fantastic.

"I'll be doing all I can to repay that faith and support."

After coming up through the ranks of local community club Westhoughton Lions Brierley joined Leigh from Castleford Tigers in 2012, earning Heritage Number #1354 after his debut against Barrow Raiders.

He became the first Leigh player to top the Club's try-scoring charts in four successive seasons and his tally of 43 tries in 2014 was the third highest in Club history.

Brierley was Championship Young Player of the Year in both 2013 and 2014 and he also became respected for his work in the community, becoming an ambassador for Leigh Community Trust while his Brierley's Buddies community programme won a funding grant from the Ben Cohen Stand Up Foundation.

Brierley left LSV for Huddersfield Giants in March 2016 before joining Toronto Wolfpack for an undisclosed fee in April 2017 during their inaugural season. Last year he became the Wolfpack's regular goal-kicker, landing 84 goals, including two drop-goals.

He made his Scotland debut in the 2016 Four Nations against Australia and has made five international appearances so far.

In his career to date he has scored 180 tries and kicked 139 goals, including six drop-goals. His next appearance will be his 200th senior game and he is eight points short of 1,000 career points. His career club tally of 138 tries in 129 games places him fifth in the all-time scoring list behind Mick Martyn (189), John Woods (152), Bill Kindon (149) and Des Drummond (141)

Ryan will be sponsored by Impact Insurance for the duration of his loan-period.