Trent Merrin to join Leeds after failing to secure Panthers deal

Trent Merrin will join UK Super League side Leeds after failing to secure a new deal with Penrith, despite Panthers boss Phil Gould previously declaring Merrin would remain at the club.

Penrith’s early departure lounge has another member after Trent Merrin became the latest Panther to leave the club despite still being under contract.

Once dubbed a future NSW Origin captain by Penrith general manager and former Blues coach Phil Gould, Merrin has been released from the final two years of his Panthers deal to join Leeds in the UK Super league for four seasons.

A hugely popular clubman, Merrin informed his closest teammates of the decision on Thursday. It follows a meeting with Gould and comes just a week into the Panthers’ pre-season training program under new coach Ivan Cleary.

Trent Merrin will leave the Panthers and the NRL for UK Super League’s Leeds. Picture: Brett Costello

It’s believed the Panthers will contribute to Merrin’s salary over the next two years at Leeds, given he initially extended his contract Penrith until 2020 back in July 2016.

The Panthers will view Merrin’s departure as a pressure release of their salary cap while also allowing the club to promote a rich nursery of talent.

“Trent Merrin has given our club three years of outstanding service, both on and off the field,” Gould said in a statement last night.

“Panthers played finals football in each of the three seasons he spent at the club. Apart from the tremendous football he has played, Trent has been instrumental in mentoring the careers of a number of our young players.”

Trent Merrin has been strong for the Panthers over a number of seasons. Picture: Getty

Merrin’s signing is a coup for newly appointed Leeds coach David Furner, who feared the former Test forward would reject the four-year deal and remain at the foot of the mountains.

The Leeds’ deal is considered not only rich in value, but lucrative in that Merrin, 29, can extend his playing future until at least 2022.

“I have done everything I possibly could in the NRL,” Merrin said. “It is good to have clarity about my future.

“I have spent time with Dave Furner in camp before and enjoyed the experience. He is obviously well respected at Leeds from his time there as a player and has built an impressive coaching career in the NRL since then.”

Merrin’s early exit continues a regular theme at the club.

The 2010 premiership-winner joins a long list of star players to leave Penrith — albeit for varying reasons — well in advance of their contract expiration date including Luke Lewis, Bryce Cartwright, Matt Moylan, Leilani Latu and Corey Harawira-Naera.

Time will tell whether Merrin’s exit saps the club’s forward pack of much-needed experience given the loss of several key forwards Tim Browne (retirement), Tyrone Peachey (Gold Goast) and Harawira-Naera (Bulldogs) for 2019. There remains uncertainty over the playing future of prop Sam McKendry, who is attempting to comeback from a third torn ACL.

New Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will have a remodelled pack to work with

Leeds’ director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said, “We are delighted to have signed Trent. He has an outstanding reputation in Australia for his leadership within a group and is someone who has played for a decade at the highest level of the game.”