Blaize Talagi's confidence and versatility have impressed possible future halves partner Nathan Cleary as Penrith prepare to face off against the most significant acquisition of their dynasty.
Parramatta wunderkind Talagi will join Penrith from 2025 on a three-year deal worth around $1.5 million, with the Panthers unable to officially announce the news until the end of a 10-day cooling-off period.
The acquisition of the highly-touted utility is a rare coup in the player market for the Panthers, who have parlayed a "build from within" philosophy into three consecutive premierships.
Given the mid-season axing of Taylan May, the Panthers could choose to play Talagi in the outside backs, where he has been lining up for the Eels across the last two months.
But the emergence of brothers Casey and Jesse McLean as genuine first-graders may instead leave Talagi filling the void left by outgoing five-eighth Jarome Luai.
The Panthers opted against using the game's best halfback Cleary to help lure Talagi to the club.
But Cleary labelled the prospect of Talagi's arrival as "very exciting" now that pen has been put to paper, though he is not yet considering the pair's potential chemistry in the halves.
"(Talagi) is a great player, only 19 years old. He's a very exciting talent," the Panthers co-captain said.
"I haven't thought about (their halves combination) too much, obviously we've still got 'Romey' (Luai) here and I want to enjoy the moments with him as they're coming to an end.
"But I think just the confidence for a young guy to come into first grade and play the way Blaize is in multiple positions, it's very impressive."
The Panthers will come face-to-face with their new signing in Friday's clash against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.
"We're coming up against him this week so we get a real taste of what it's going to be like," Cleary said.
"Maybe I'll get to speak to him after the game."
The Eels are coming off an impressive upset defeat of the Warriors in Auckland but containing a rampant Cleary looms as a loftier task.
The 26-year-old has shone in three games since recovering from a long-term hamstring injury, most recently scoring the decisive try in Sunday's 22-14 defeat of Newcastle.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously temperamental but Cleary said he had been reaping the rewards of restructuring his training load.
"I probably had to refrain from a lot of the kicking stuff, but then I'm probably doing more in other areas just around the hammy, sort of load and high-speed running," he said.
"I've turned a lot more to the mental side and trying to nail that and visualisation, rather than so much physical reps all the time.
"I'm just trying to stick to that routine and not get comfortable with playing footy and not getting comfortable with the fact that it (the hamstring) is all right now."
