Penrith are set to release second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera from the final two years of his NRL contract to join Canterbury next season.
Harawira-Naera has been a fixture in the Panthers’ best 17 since making his debut early last season, which included penning a mid-year extension until the end of 2020.
However News Corp on Thursday reported the 23-year-old will instead link with the Bulldogs next year, with the move likely to be confirmed by both clubs next week.
The signing bolsters a Bulldogs roster that had been gutted by a spate of back-ended contracts, resulting in the mid-contract departures of Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye this year.
Morris twins Brett and Josh, together with the exit of Greg Eastwood has also opened up some breathing space in their salary cap.
Harawira-Naera was crowned the Panthers’ rookie of the year last year, but has mainly come off the bench this year with Isaah Yeo and Viliame Kikau established in the second row.
He joins Panthers teammate Christian Crichton and Sausaso Sue (Wests Tigers), Jack Cogger and Nick Meaney (Newcastle) as new faces at the Bulldogs next season.
The Bulldogs have primarily used captain Josh Jackson and Rhyse Martin in the back row this year, while Adam Elliott has also played on the edge.