Search

show me:

Penrith sign Yeo for career 'sweet spot'

3 minute read

New Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo has signed a three-year extension with the NRL club.

JAMES TAMOU of the Penrith Panthers is tackled by the Knights between the Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia.
JAMES TAMOU of the Penrith Panthers is tackled by the Knights between the Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Penrith have locked in one of their key pieces after newly-announced co-captain Isaah Yeo signed a three-year contract extension to keep him at the NRL club until 2024.

Teammates Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai are expected to follow the 26-year-old forward in putting pen to paper within a week as last year's beaten grand finalists eye another trophy tilt.

A Penrith junior, Yeo is the club's most experienced campaigner (148 NRL games) and, following James Tamou's departure to Wests Tigers, he will skipper the club alongside Nathan Cleary this season.

He earned a NSW Origin debut last year and was selected in the Dally M Team of the Year, coach Ivan Cleary confident they have secured Yeo for the "sweet spot" of his career.

"Everyone at the club is stoked to get this deal done," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.

"His performances last year and his Origin debut have solidified his self-belief, which was already strong, but has gone to another level.

"He's going to be a really important player for our club over the next four years."

Yeo's motivations for remaining in Penrith are clear.

"If anyone asked me when I first came to Penrith if I would play first grade, I would have said they were crazy," he said.

"To think I'm here now and this deal is going to take me through to the age of 30 is incredible.

"It's been quite a journey and something I'm very proud of.

"Hopefully over the next few years we can bring a premiership to Penrith and I can play my part in that."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au