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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15:  Lelani Latu of the Panthers gestures during the round 23 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the New Zealand Warriors at Pepper Stadium on August 15, 2015 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Panthers can confirm Leilani Latu has signed a new two-year deal to remain at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

The 22-year-old prop forward said he was relieved to have put pen to paper and committed his future to the Panthers.

"I really wanted to stay and repay the club for the faith they have shown in me," Latu said.

"I am excited by the prospect of spending more time with the team and building on all the relationships that I have developed here in Penrith.

"Now I’ve got a taste for the NRL, I’m even more determined to earn my spot in the team next season."

Latu was part of the Panthers’ premiership-winning NSW Cup side in 2014 and made his first grade debut in Round 21 this season.

"Leilani is the perfect example of perseverance from a young man who has had to overcome many challenges to realise his dream of playing in the NRL,” Panthers Executive General Manager Rugby League Phil Gould AM said.

"When given the opportunity this year, Leilani confirmed the enormous potential we always believed he possessed.

"I can see Leilani playing NRL with the Panthers for a long period of time."

Acknowledgement of Country

Penrith Panthers players and staff respect and honour the traditional custodians of the land and pay our respects to their elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.