YORK City Knights have added new spped and power to their back line with the signature of Leeds Rhinos youngster Austin Buchanan.

The 19-year-old winger has signed at Huntington Stadium on a permanent deal until the end of the season, with head coach Richard Agar delighted to have strengthened the squad to bolster the Knights' National League Two promotion push.

Buchanan, who has Super League experience having been loaned out to London Broncos towards the end of last season, trained for the first time with the Knights last night and will be available for the next game, at home to Gateshead Thunder a week on Sunday.

"He was at London last year and is a kid with good size and good pace," said Agar.

"He's a quality player with bags of potential and hopefully regular first-team football will help him fulfil that.

"He's at one of the top clubs in the game and the road (to the first team) is a lot narrower and the chances of playing first-team rugby are more limited there. We're pleased he's chosen to join us in the hope he can get regular first-team football and get him back up the ladder."

The Knights chief said Leeds-based Buchanan, who has come through the junior ranks at Headingley to the Rhinos' under-21s, would have to earn a first-team shirt at Huntington Stadium.

"As with everyone else, form in training and in matches will dictate first-team places," said Agar (pictured above).

"At the moment while Chris Smith is having his injury problems and Alex Godfrey to some extent also, we've been short of specialist wingers - although the two guys over the last couple of weeks have filled in admirably."

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "We're delighted to have Austin on board. He's gained vaulable Super League experience last year at London but there will be limited opportunities for him at Leeds this year, so he's taken the chance to join the Knights to get more experience and the opportunity of a regular first-team slot."

Ferres, meanwhile, has rubbished rumours that Rhinos' major new recruit, Ali Lauiti'iti, may don the Knight shirt this term.

The 24-year-old Kiwi international, a former NRL 'second-row of the year', arrived at Headingley from New Zealand Warriors on Monday on a two-and-a-half-year deal, the Rhinos having fought off Bradford Bulls and Hull FC for his signature.

There was speculation, however, that Leeds may face red tape as regards their overseas quota and the Knights were linked with a loan switch while that was sorted out.

But Ferres blasted: "It's utter rubbish. I'm glad we have been associated with him but there's no truth in the rumours whatsoever."

Updated: 11:10 Wednesday, May 12, 2004