Jarome Luai announces major personal news as contract saga drags

Penrith Panthers star Jarome Luai has sent social media into meltdown with a major revelation as his contract saga drags on.

NRL 2023 GF PENRITH PANTHERS Fans celebrations- JAROME LUAI. Picture: NRL Photos

Penrith Panthers star Jarome Luai has taken to social media to announce his engagement to partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa as news surrounding his NRL future continues to swirl.

The major personal news was posted online on Christmas Day with the loved up couple showing off the flashy rock.

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In a shared upload, two photos of the couple were posted with Toleafoa captioning the post: “Forever with my best friend”.

Fans, players and teammates flooded the Instagram post with congratulatory messages for the happy couple.

Jarome Luai announces his engagement to long-time partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa. Picture: Instagram

Jarome Luai shared the massive news.

Brian To’o wrote: “My guys! Couldn’t be more happy for a deserving couple. Shotgun being best man”.

Sunia Turuva congratuled the couple while also making reference to Luai’s controversial speech at To’o’s wedding: “Speeeeeech. Yes Fam.”

Luai was quick to respond by shutting down the notion of any speeches taking place. “Nah no speeches at my wedding,” he wrote.

the best 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Eye7QDd1HB

— Nat Hanrahan (@nat_sinclair93) December 25, 2023

It was reported that Luai had agreed to terms with the Tigers on a five-year, $6 million deal from 2025 with the five-eighth reportedly telling teammates he was departing the club.

However, according to The Daily Telegraph, Luai still hasn’t made his mind up yet, leaving the Tigers in limbo.

While the club had hoped to officially confirm the new deal before Christmas, they believe a deal will be locked in over the coming days.

Luai was a no-show at Panthers training last week after requesting leave, fuelling speculation that he’d depart Penrith early to join the Tigers from 2024.

The monster contract offered blew the Panthers out of the water with the reigning premiers only able to offer up a two-year deal worth $850,000 a season.

Jarome Luai has yet to make a decision on where he'll play his football once his current contract expires at the end of next season. Credit: NRL Images.

If he does eventually sign with the Tigers, Luai’s former NSW coach Brad Fittler believes the playmaker can make the transition to halfback, drawing parallels between Luai and new Tigers coach Benji Marshall.

“Benji wasn’t a traditional halfback, but he ended up playing halfback his way,” Fittler said.

“Some of Benji’s best footy was at the end (of his career) and he was playing a completely different role.

“He’s a great example of the possibilities here. And again, Jarome’s just never had that responsibility.

“So I think there’s a lot of just assuming he can’t do it, just because he’s never had to.”

Originally published as Jarome Luai announces major personal news as contract saga drags