Parramatta Eels prop Shane Shackleton joins Penrith Panthers on immediate transfer

OUT-of-favour Eel Shane Shackleton has gained a last minute reprieve, finalising an immediate transfer to Penrith for the rest of 2012.

OUT-of-favour Eels prop Shane Shackleton has gained a last minute reprieve, finalising an immediate transfer to join Penrith for the rest of 2012.

Shackleton has not played NRL since labelling Eels coach Stephen Kearney a "f$&)wit" on social media in March.

But his form for NSW Cup feeder side Wentworthville has been outstanding.

Shackleton currently leads the second tier competition's Player of the Year Award and has been selected to represent NSW Residents in Wednesday night's Origin curtain-raiser.

Nevertheless, he's been unable to crack a recall for the last-placed Eels and was denied an earlier request to join Manly in April.

It's believed Kearney finally gave Shackleton his blessing to move last weekend, leaving just a week to arrange a transfer ahead of tomorrow's 30 June deadline.

This week's release of Sandor Earl (Raiders) and Nafe Seluini (Roosters) created enough cap space for the Panthers to accommodate the former City Origin rep.

Because of his Residents duty, Shackleton won't be available for the Panthers until late next week.