Penrith Panthers forward and New Zealand international Zane Tetevano has been granted immediate release from his club to join the Leeds Rhinos on a three-year deal.

The 30-year-old will join the Rhinos ahead of the new Betfred Super League season after his release from the final year of his contract.

“While it’s difficult to leave Panthers, I’m extremely grateful to the club for allowing my family and I to take up this opportunity,” Tetevano said in a club statement on Friday.

“My time at Penrith was one of the most enjoyable years of my career.”

Panthers General Manager Rugby League Matt Cameron said the club wished him the best of luck in the Super League.

“Zane had an extraordinary impact on our young squad following his arrival at the club last season,” he said.

“He consistently elevated our training sessions with his professionalism and played an important role in the team’s success in 2020.”

Tetevano made 19 NRL appearances in 2020 and averaged over 100 running metres per game.

Leeds director of rugby Kevin Sinfield told PA that once the club knew of Zane’s availability he was their number one priority to strengthen the squad for next season.

“We have got an exciting crop of young players coming through at the Rhinos and to add a current international with a proven track record of winning will give our group a tremendous lift.”