Cleary seals deal with Panthers for long haul

PENRITH have re- signed halfback Nathan Cleary on a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2024 NRL season.

The move ensures the Panthers wrap up their star playmaker before any rivals can approach him at the start of November.

“In the end it was an easy decision to make,” Cleary said.

“I want to become a leader here at the Panthers and I’m determined to help deliver a premiership to Penrith.”

He said his decision to sign a five- year contract extension had nothing to do with his father Ivan, who is contracted as Wests Tigers coach until the end of 2020 and has expressed a desire to work with his son.

Penrith axed coach Anthony Griffin in the second half of the season and he was replaced on an interim basis by his assistant Cameron Ciraldo, who steered the Panthers into the finals.

“I was happy to make the decision by myself, what happens in the future with dad is out of my control,” Cleary said.

“I always thought I would stay and it would all work itself out eventually and it did.”

Panthers boss Phil Gould was delighted to announce the re- signing of the halfback.

“I think Nathan is going to be 300 NRL game player,” Gould said. “This is a significant investment by the Panthers. We see his best football way in front of him.”

Cleary didn’t rule out his father Ivan joining him at the Panthers in the future.

“I haven’t given up on it, it’d be nice to link up with him somewhere down the track.”