The Penrith Panthers are set to secure their biggest contract win yet, with Isaah Yeo understood to have agreed to terms on a new deal.
The NSW Blues captain is one of a host of players off-contract at the foot of the mountains at the end of 2027, but will give the club a major boost with a deal now expected to be announced before the start of the finals, according to the Western Weekender.
Penrith's contract crunch has been well publicised, with a long list of players off-contract at the end of 2027 being headlined by Yeo, Liam Martin and Nathan Cleary.
While it's understood Martin met with Penrith management this week and won't agree to anything until at least the end of the season, and that Cleary is still a very strong chance of heading to November 1, Yeo evidently will not.
Yeo has been in talks with the Panthers in recent weeks, and the club could well have used some of the cash originally set aside for Brian To'o to secure his signature.
To'o has already agreed to move on to the PNG Chiefs at the end of 2027, saving the Panthers over $600,000 per season from their bloated salary cap.
That money will all disappear quickly as they negotiate with their host of still off-contract stars, but landing Yeo's signature months out from November 1 will shape as a major boost for the outfit.
While it's unclear at this stage how long the contract will run for or exactly how much of an upgrade Yeo is in for money wise, it's safe to assume he is now on track to becoming a one-club player, having debuted at the foot of the mountains in 2014, playing 283 games since.
Currently out injured, Yeo is pushing hard to return from injury through the finals series, with the Panthers shooting for their fifth premiership in six years.
The Panthers have in recent times re-signed Thomas Jenkins, Casey McLean and Paul Alamoti as they look to keep the successful playing group together, while it's also understood a contract extension announcement for Isaiah Papali'i is imminent.
