Broncos outcast confirms Bulldogs future after reported Panthers cameo

Broncos star Tevita Pangai has officially signed a three-year-deal with a rival club, but he is reportedly joining a third club immediately.

Brisbane Broncos player Tevita Pangai Jr. Pic NRL Photos.

Broncos outcast Tevita Pangai Jr is reportedly set to sign with the Panthers on a short term deal to be announced as early as Wednesday.

The stunning reports came just minutes after the Bulldogs announced the enforcer has signed a three-year deal to join the club from the beginning of the 2022 season.

However, multiple reports on Wednesday outlined the Broncos and Panthers have also reached an agreement that will see Pangai Jr move to Penrith for the rest of the 2022 season.

Journalist Danny Weidler posted on Twitter Pangai Jr could play for the Panthers as early as their Round 21 match against the Roosters on August 7.

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The Australian’s Brent Read reported on Twitter the deal has been finalised.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas posted on Twitter the Broncos and Panthers have agreed to split the payments remaining on Pangai Jr’s contract for the rest of the 2021 season.

After helping the Panthers in their charge to the finals, Pangai Jr will join the Bulldogs. The club announced the news in a statement on Wednesday, describing it as a “great coup”.

“Being able to bring a forward of Tevita’s quality to the club is a massive boost for our playing group for next season and beyond,” Canterbury coach Trent Barrett said.

“He is a great ball runner and strong defender and someone who will be the perfect fit with the other forwards that we have.

“He is also a player with International experience who has performed well on that stage and someone who can be a leader within our group.

“I know that everyone at the club is excited about Tevita joining us next season and we believe that he will be a major asset moving forward.”

Reports this week claimed Pangai’s deal is worth around $2 million and keeps him at the club until the end of the 2024 season.

According to NRL.com, the 25-year-old rejected approaches from the Wests Tigers

Brisbane Broncos player Tevita Pangai Jr. Pic NRL Photos.

Tevita Pangai Jr won’t be at Panthers this year.

Was offered to club for 2021 a couple weeks ago. It doesn’t work in the cap. They would need to move player on.

Spoken to both Panthers and TPJ’s manager. Both parties say it won’t be happening.

— Michael Chammas (@MichaelChammas) July 19, 2021

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Last month, Pangai revealed the Broncos told the Tonga international he was free to approach other NRL clubs.

“I’m on contract for this year and next year but yeah they got me in on my day off and told me that I’m free to look elsewhere,” Pangai said following Brisbane’s 46-0 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

“Players have got to be held accountable for the results that we’ve been tossing up so if that’s me I have to look elsewhere but I’ve just got to take it day by day, week by week and see where my future is.”

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are reportedly also hunting the signature of sacked Dragons prop Paul Vaughan.

“I think Paul Vaughan will be there as well at the Bulldogs,” The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield told NRL 360.

“It is a complicated one because they are talking with the integrity unit about if they sign him now does that work off the eight-week suspension he owes.

“Or can they wait and sign him next year and will the suspension be gone by then. That’s the conversation they are having.”

Last week, the Bulldogs appointed rugby league icon Phil Gould as their new General Manager of Football with immediate effect.