NRL 2024: Brian To’o ends speculation of Penrith Panthers restlessness by reaffirming his commitment to the club

Brian To’o has broken his silence on rumours he was becoming restless at the Penrith Panthers and cleared the air over his future at the club.

Brian To'o has re-affirmed his commitment to Penrith (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Penrith ace Brian To’o has ended speculation that he was about to walk out on the Panthers by re-affirming his commitment to the club.

To’o took to Instagram to declare that he had no intentions of leaving Penrith.

It is understood To’o and his agent Liam Ayoub met with Penrith officials on Thursday to clear the air after widespread suggestions that he may want to test the open market.

“Thanks all for the support,” To’o posted.

“Nothing to see. Not going anywhere, no shopping here, let’s get it.”

To’o – who returned to training on Thursday after being ill the day before – told the club that he wanted to see out the rest of his deal which expires at the end of 2027.

To’o’s manager Liam Ayoub said the NSW Blues star was not at any stage shopped or offered to rival NRL clubs.

Brian To’o has reaffirmed his commitment to Penrith. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“Brian’s commitment to the Panthers has never waivered,” Ayoub told this masthead.

“He has always maintained that he wanted to see out his contract and at no stage has he ever asked for a release or has he ever been made available to another NRL club.

“The conversations with the Panthers in recent days further reinforced his commitment to the club.”

Panthers CEO Matt Cameron is also confident that To’o isn’t unsettled at the club and will honour the full term of his deal.

“Today (Thursday) we had a very positive discussion with Brian and his management,” Cameron said.

“Brian confirmed he is fully committed to the club moving forward as he aims to help win a fourth grand final.”

To’o is due to earn about $650,000 next season but there were claims he could pocket as much as $900,000 at another club.

But those close to To’o have maintained that it was never about chasing a bumper pay day.

Panthers officials claim that Brian To'o’s commitment to the club has never waivered. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

To’o is already one of the highest paid wingers in the game.

Instead To’o felt a sense of loss given his four groomsmen - Spencer Leniu, Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva - have all moved on from Penrith to join rival outfits since To’o agreed to a four-year extension in late 2022.

Penrith teammates were shocked to hear rumours that To’o was restless at the club when the story first emerged on Tuesday.

“I’m pretty close with Brian, I can’t see him going anywhere,” Panthers backrower Scott Sorensen said.

“He doesn’t at all seem restless, far from it.”

To’o will line up for the Panthers against the Knights on Sunday.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Brian To’o ends speculation of Penrith Panthers restlessness by reaffirming his commitment to the club