Capped-out Penrith Panthers sign Manly Sea Eagles utility Dean Whare after appealing to NRL for concessions

DESPITE complaining to the NRL of salary cap pressures, the Panthers have announced the signing of Manly utility Dean Whare.

Dean Whare Manly Sea Eagles

DESPITE complaining to the NRL of salary cap pressures, the Panthers have this morning announced the signing of Manly utility back Dean Whare.

The smart pick-up for the Panthers comes hot on the heals of the club's appeal to the NRL for salary cap concessions for the remainder of 2012.

Back-ended contracts to some of the Panthers' biggest names, including Sam McKendry and Lachlan Coote, have pushed the club's salary cap close to breaking point, with Michael Jennings reportedly being given permission to look for another club in order to give Penrith's 2013 salary cap some relief.

Both coach Ivan Cleary and general manager Phil Gould have denied this.

Whare, who has been an important player for the Sea Eagles this year playing at fullback, wing and centre, will join Penrith on a two-year-deal beginning next season.

He will continue to play for the Sea Eagles for the remainder of 2012.

His departure comes just days after the Sea Eagles announced they had re-signed centre Steve Matai on a new three-year-deal that ties him to the club until the end of 2015.

The Panthers issued a release this morning on behalf of Gould, saying: "Dean is an extremely versatile footballer, who has shown his great potential by breaking into Manly's top grade this year. We are very excited to have him with the Panthers for the next two seasons.'' 

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