Penrith have capped off a busy day of business by re-signing winger Josh Mansour and securing the services of South Sydney hooker Api Koroisau on a two-year deal.
Mansour had admitted this week he was torn between signing a lucrative deal with Canberra and remaining in Sydney but opted to stay put until 2016 after the Panthers made him an improved offer late on Monday night.
“Penrith is where my heart is, and it’s where I want my footy career to be right now,” Mansour said.
“We’re playing some really good footy as a team and I am so lucky to be a part of that.
“Working under Ivan (Cleary) has been really good learning experience the last few years, and I feel like he brings out the best in me.”
Penrith supporters started up social media pages trying to rally support for the popular try-scoring specialist to stay at the foot of the mountains and the former Souths junior said that was a huge factor in his decision to stay.
“Panthers members and fans have been amazing too. They have always been so supportive and they give me so much encouragement, and I want to thank them for cheering us on week in, week out,” he said.
Koroisau, who played for Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup last year, has filled in admirably for the injured Issac Luke this season for the Rabbitohs.
Panthers general manager rugby league Phil Moss said his arrival will add depth to the squad when he joins next year.
“Apisai is a welcome addition to the Panthers family for 2015,” Moss said.
“He has speed, agility and representative football experience and he will play a key role in our team structure in the years to come.”
The news of Mansour’s re-signing is another blow for the Raiders who have now missed out on two of their three main targets for next year after New Zealand back-rower Kevin Proctor decided to stay in Melbourne having shaken hands on big-money move to the nation’s capital.
Coach Ricky Stuart, whose side sit third-last on the ladder, is looking to rebuild the Raiders’ roster, secured the services of Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco last week.
