Josh Mansour signs with Rabbitohs after being let go by Panthers

Josh Mansour has finally found a new club after being told he was unwanted by NRL grand finalists the Penrith Panthers.

Wayne Bennett reckons the Rabbitohs “got lucky” in signing Penrith discard Josh Mansour as the former Test winger declared the timing was right for his return to Redfern.

Mansour has signed a two-year contract with South Sydney which will see him join the Rabbitohs immediately ahead of the 2021 NRL season.

Mansour, 30, was told only days after Penrith’s grand final loss to Melbourne last year that his services were no longer required at the Panthers.

While the 158-game Penrith stalwart was initially shocked by Penrith coach Ivan Cleary’s decision, he came to terms with it and decided to return to the club he cut his teeth at.

“From the minute we had the discussion I always understood where the club was coming from,” Mansour said.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Thank you to my team mates, coaching staff, the fans & the club for an amazing 9 seasons together. It has been one hell of a ride. I have so many memories that I’ll take with me wherever I go. I’ll forever be grateful for my time as a Panther #513 pic.twitter.com/ROLiIU6FYR

— Josh Mansour (@Josh_Mansour) January 13, 2021

“I’ve got to move on and look after myself and my family now. I feel like I’m leaving at a good time for the club and myself.

“While this isn’t an ending I ever envisaged, I’ve made peace with the decision and I’m ready to move forward with a new challenge.

“Whatever the future holds, I’ll always consider myself a Panther and be proud of what I achieved at the club.”

A former Test and NSW Origin winger, Mansour faced spending the 2021 season in reserve grade if he opted to stay at the Panthers.

His move was helped by South Sydney’s release of fullback Corey Allan to Canterbury last week, which freed up funds in the Rabbitohs’ salary cap to sign Mansour.

Mansour came through South Sydney’s lower grades without playing NRL for the Rabbitohs.

He was named the NYC’s winger of the year and South Sydney’s NYC player of the year in 2010.

Josh Mansour starred at the Panthers last year but has been let go to the Rabbitohs.

Mansour trained with South Sydney’s NRL squad in 2011 before being poached by the Panthers, where he went on to become one of the game’s top wingers.

Mansour scored 74 tries for Penrith and his sudden move to Redfern will set up a grudge match against the Panthers in Round 11.

The Rabbitohs were bundled out of the NRL finals race last year by Penrith in the grand final qualifier.

South Sydney coach Bennett believes the Rabbitohs have a red-hot chance of winning this year’s NRL premiership and the addition of Mansour will boost their quest.

“We just got lucky there, he became available and the opportunity came up to grab him so we’ve done that,” Bennett said.

Josh Mansour shares his final thoughts and farewells as he departs Panthers. Thanks for everything Sauce. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#pantherpride 🐾 pic.twitter.com/d76quHK3x2

— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) January 13, 2021

“We’re just building our depth.”

Mansour is undoubtedly one of Penrith’s most-loved players and his departure has left a sour taste in the mouth of some fans who believed he should have finished his career as a one-club player.

Cleary paid tribute to Mansour’s contribution to the club.

Josh Mansour will wear the cardinal and myrtle of South Sydney once again.

“I have fond memories of giving Josh his NRL debut back in 2012,” Cleary said.

“The fact that 80 players have made their first grade debuts for Penrith since that day is testament to just how significant Josh’s service to our club has been.

“He’s held in high regard by everyone at Panthers and we wish him and his family the best of luck moving forward.”