Bursting onto the scene this season and surprising many, Corey Harawira-Naera has ignored rival overtures and put a smile on the faces of Penrith Panthers fans by re-signing with the club for a further three seasons.
The new deal for the 22-year old means that the Harawira-Naera will remain with the club until the end of the 2020 season.
In the end, despite other clubs chasing his signature, Harawira-Naera said that it was an easy decision and that he had no intentions of leaving the club.
“I’m so happy and relieved to have re-signed with the Panthers as I never wanted to go anywhere else,” Harawira-Naera said.
“In terms of my development as a player, and even as a person, I know this is the right club for me.”
Harawira-Naera’s form has pleased the Penrith organisation and since making his debut in Rd 4, he has scored six tries and drew praise from the club’s Executive General Manager, Phil Gould.
“Corey is another one of our players who has come through the Panthers development pathways to play first grade for this club,” said Gould.
“He was a member of our premiership-winning NYC team in 2015 and has now firmly established himself in the NRL side.
“Corey thoroughly deserves his new contract and we are delighted he will be at the Panthers for at least the next three years.
“I see a long and successful career ahead for this lad.”