Panthers’ Merrin quits for UK deal
PENRITH’S early departure lounge has another member after Trent Merrin became the latest Panther to leave the club despite being under contract.
Once dubbed a future NSW Origin captain by Penrith general manager and former Blues coach Phil Gould, Merrin has been released from the final two years of his Panthers deal to join Leeds in the UK Super League for four seasons.
Merrin informed his closest teammates of the decision yesterday. It follows a meeting with Gould and comes just a week into the Panthers’ preseason training program under new coach Ivan Cleary.
It’s believed the Panthers will contribute to Merrin’s salary over the next two years at Leeds, given he initially extended his contract with Penrith until 2020 back in July 2016. The Panthers will view Merrin’s departure as a pressure release of their salary cap while also allowing the club to promote a rich nursery of talent.
“Trent Merrin has given our club three years of outstanding service, both on and off the field,” Gould said in a statement last night.
“Panthers played finals football in each of the three seasons he spent at the club. Apart from the tremendous football he has played, Trent has been instrumental in mentoring the careers of a number of our young players.”
Merrin’s signing is a coup for newly appointed Leeds coach David Furner, who feared the former Test forward would reject the four- year deal.
“I have done everything I possibly could in the NRL,” Merrin said last night.