Nathan Cleary, the standout player for Penrith, has signed a contract to play for the Warriors as a teenager.
Starting with the upcoming season, Jett Cleary, 19, has inked a three-year contract with the opposing NRL team.
The Panthers, where his brother played in three straight NRL premierships and his father has coached, will lose the gifted young playmaker.
Jett Cleary played junior football with the Panthers after graduating from Penrith’s St. Dominic’s College.
Next season, he will join Andrew Webster’s team across the ditch, following fellow Penrith player James Fisher-Harris.
Being able to add a player of Jett’s caliber to our pathway system starting with the upcoming season is a wonderful moment for us, said Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“Ivan’s tenure with us created the greatest ties between the Cleary family and our club, so signing Jett and welcoming the Cleary name back to our fold is a unique delight.
“We’re again truly grateful for the cooperation from Penrith and Ivan in helping to make this possible.”
In 2005, Jett was born in Auckland, New Zealand.
When his father, Ivan, began playing for New Zealand (later titled the Warriors) in 2001, his parents had relocated there for the first time.
After retiring in 2002, Ivan worked as an assistant coach for the Roosters. In 2004, he returned to New Zealand, and in 2006, he took over as head coach of the Warriors.
Warriors recruitment manager Andrew McFadden stated, “Jett has the benefit of strong family ties with the club and with Auckland as well, even though he was only young when he left New Zealand to go back to Australia.”
“He brings wonderful pedigree with him as well as a great understanding of the game after coming through Penrith’s fantastic pathways.”
Right now, Jett’s older brother Nathan is regarded as the NRL’s top halfback.
Leave a Reply