The Canterbury Bulldogs have landed the signing of Jesse McLean for the 2027 season.
The outside back is the latest rumoured recruit to be joining the blue and white for the new season, although the club officially have no signings.
Young gun fullback Connor Votano from the Newcastle Knights, and back-up Penrith hooker Freddy Lussick are the other rumoured signings.
McLean was once highly-rated as he worked his way through the Penrith junior system, but has fallen off the radar in recent times, and well behind brother Casey McLean, who has become an Origin player.
Jesse was once viewed as a more likely prospect than his brother.
Casey, speaking to ESPN, confirmed his brother was heading to Belmore.
"Obviously pretty gutted that we won't be on the same team," he told the publication.
"It'll be a weird feeling at first, but I'm super excited for the opportunity that he'll be given [at the Bulldogs]."
The 21-year-old debuted for the Panthers back in 2023, but has managed just four NRL games to go with a single appearance for the Maori All Stars in 2025.
An outside back who can play either centre or wing, he will come straight into the reckoning for playing time at Belmore pending what they do with the remainder of their roster spots - of which nine are officially still available.
Bronson Xerri leaves at the end of the year bound for the Melbourne Storm, while Marcelo Montoya has retired, and Stephen Crichton is seemingly now viewed as a half, creating plenty of questions for Cameron Ciraldo and his coaching staff to answer in the new years as the Bulldogs attempt to rebound from their horror 2026 season.
