Fisher-Harris re-signs with Panthers until 2026

Kiwi international James Fisher-Harris is one step closer to finishing his career as a Panther after signing a four-year contract extension with the club on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old will remain at Penrith until at least the end of the 2026 season after months of negotiations with the club's management. 

Fisher-Harris will be the current longest-contracted player at the club following the re-signings of Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Isaah Yeo earlier this season. 

"It hasn’t fully sunk in yet but I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to sign this deal," Fisher-Harris told the Panthers' website.

"This club feels like home. I'm surrounded by familiar faces I've come through the grades with. My family loves it here. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

"It's every player's dream to stay at one club for a long time. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to do it at a club like this.

"Now it’s my turn to do my job, put the team first and do everything I can to repay the faith the club has shown in me."

The Panthers have been known to release players on long-term deals early in the past but club CEO Brian Fletcher told NRL.com in March he had no hesitation when it came to Fisher-Harris's future.

"If there was ever a person fit for the purpose [of a long-term deal] it would be him," Fletcher said.

Fisher-Harris made his NRL debut in 2016 after arriving from New Zealand as a teenager.

He has risen into the top echelon of forwards since claiming the Merv Cartwright Medal for Panthers player of the year in 2019. 

He enjoyed a dominant season during Penrith's run towards the grand final last year and quickly adapted to several rule changes in recent seasons.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary appointed Fisher-Harris as captain of the side when co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo were away on Origin duty. 

"James has been an outstanding player for Panthers in recent years and his best years are still very much ahead of him," Cleary said.

"His relentless work ethic is second to none. It’s the driving force behind everything he's achieved to this point and it will continue to serve him well moving forward.

"We're thrilled he's committed his future to the club and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the years ahead."

The Panthers' next crop on the retention list will include hooker Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau and Dylan Edwards, who all come off contract at the end of next season but are free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.

Penrith will farewell Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Matt Burton and Brent Naden (both Bulldogs) at season's end.