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Commenting on signing for Leeds he said, "I am very pleased to be joining Leeds and hopefully I will get the opportunity to get in the first team and do my best for Leeds in the Guinness Premiership. I have got a fair bit of experience in the Premiership and I can cover 9 and 10 so hopefully I can add to the current squad. I am delighted to have been given this opportunity by Stuart Lancaster and it is the chance for a new start for me.
"With the World Cup on at the start of the season we have a chance, if we can start well, to establish ourselves and build some confidence. I spoke to Mark Lock, who I played with at Wasps, and he was really positive about Leeds having come up here last season. I also spoke to Tom Palmer, Dave Doherty and Mark McMillan about their time at Headingley Carnegie and it was nothing but positives so that made the move even more appealing," added Brooks.
Brooks arrived at Wasps from Northampton in the summer of 2004 and was a regular for England 7s squad between 2003 and 2005 before electing to concentrate on the 15 man game. Born in Henley-on-Thames he played for his home town club early in his career before spending two seasons with Rugby League's London Broncos. He then joined Saints and came through their Academy system before joining Wasps.
Director of Rugby Stuart Lancaster added, "I am delighted to have secured the signing of James. He is a player who I spoke to last season about joining us and unfortunately it did not come off however I am really pleased we have managed to get our man this time. He will add value at half back where we see him not only playing 10 but also having the flexibility in his game to play 9 as well.
"He is an intelligent footballer who has a great kicking game and possesses the desire to prove himself at the highest level. As such that makes him an excellent addition to our squad," added Lancaster.
