Tigers are set toWests sign Jarome Luai to a five-year contract worth more than NZ$6.4 million.
The Panthers star has informed Penrith that he will leave the club at the end of the season and will join the joint-venture club in 2025.
The Premiers had offered Luai a three-year, NZ$2.7 million contract extension for 2025 and 2026, but the NSW and Samoan representative chose to test his worth on the open market.
Luai has played 107 games for the Panthers, winning three consecutive grand finals.
According to the NRL’s new rules, Luai can only declare his intention to sign with the Tigers, giving Penrith a 10-day window to make a better offer to keep him.
Luai also has the option to opt out of the Tigers deal during that time, creating a fortnight of speculation about his future, given the Bulldogs’ big-money offer, worth about NZ $5.9 million over five years.
Shane Richardson was only appointed interim Tigers CEO on Tuesday, but he made Luai his top priority.
Despite not officially taking over as CEO until the new year, Richardson scheduled a meeting with Luai’s management on Thursday and was assured that the club was still a viable option.
Canterbury were thought to be the favourites to sign Luai, where he would have reunited with several former Panthers, including new recruit Stephen Crichton and coach Cameron Ciraldo.
However, the Tigers’ quick response to the boardroom clean-out ensured that they remained in the race.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall, a childhood friend of Luai’s, has also been involved in the pursuit of Luai, explaining why the player and club would be a good fit.
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