Penrith have held off interest from rivals to convince strike centre Taylan May to sign a two-year extension with the NRL club.
May told teammates after their win over Brisbane on Thursday night he had agreed to stay with the Panthers until the end of 2026, ending any chance of a bidding war for his services.
"This club and the Panthers jersey mean a lot to me, and I'm proud to stay here for another couple of years. This place is home," May said.
The 22-year-old's week was then made even better on Friday morning, when he avoided a charge for his head clash with Broncos star Reece Walsh.
May's decision to stay means he will likely have to wait longer to team up with his brother Terrell at the Sydney Roosters.
The Tricolours had loomed as a potential option for Taylan, given the pair's desire to play together and the impending exits of several Roosters outside backs.
St George Illawarra were another club keen to approach both brothers, with Terrell also off-contract at the Roosters this year.
But it is now clear they will not become a package deal.
One of the NRL's best rookies in 2022, Taylan May missed last year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and risked losing his spot to Sunia Turuva on the wing.
But he has impressed after being shifted into the centres this year, looming as one of the Panthers' most dangerous players on their edge.
While Penrith could theoretically make an offer to Terrell, it is unlikely the three-time defending premiers would be able to accommodate the rising front-rower in their salary cap.
The Panthers will lose big-money five-eighth Jarome Luai to Wests Tigers for next year, but have now upgraded both May and fellow centre Izack Tago's deals in recent weeks.
The club's faith in Tago was rewarded on Thursday night, with the 21-year-old scoring a double in the 34-12 win over Brisbane.
"He was outstanding," coach Ivan Cleary said of Tago's performance.
"It's hard to back up performances at the start of the year. I don't know why.
"But he was a handful. The chase back he did (to save a try) was amazing.
"Hopefully he can keep it up. That's the challenge for any young player, consistency.
"He's put two good ones together, so hopefully he can keep going."
May's signature leaves Turuva, Mitch Kenny, Matt Eisenhuth and Luke Garner as the remaining frontline Panthers without contracts for next year.
