Sports · Other Sports · 6 hrs ago
Nathan Cleary pauses contract talks to focus on recovery
Nathan Cleary, the Penrith Panthers’ star halfback, has put contract negotiations on hold while he recovers from serious injuries.
He broke his left leg in two places during the Panthers’ preliminary final loss to Newcastle and also had a broken bone in his right foot.
Cleary has had two rounds of surgery, and his immediate priority is his health.
His management has told Penrith what amount he would seek if he considered offers from other clubs.
Because talks are paused, he may become a free agent and be open to offers after November 1.
Cleary hopes his recovery will not stop him returning for round one of the 2027 NRL season.
Penrith has also held early talks about contract extensions with teammates Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Moses Leota.
Nathan Cleary has put contract negotiations with Penrith on hold while he focuses on recovering from two surgeries.
His management has told Penrith the figure Cleary would seek if he considered offers from rival clubs.
Cleary’s immediate priority is recovering in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season.
He suffered a double compound fracture to his left leg in Penrith’s preliminary final loss to Newcastle.
The club also revealed he had played that match with a broken bone in his right foot.
- Who
- Nathan Cleary, Penrith’s star halfback.
- What
- He has paused contract talks to focus on recovering from two surgeries.
- When
- The report was published on October 12, 2026; talks are on hold ahead of November 1.
- Where
- Penrith, New South Wales. Cleary was injured in the preliminary final against Newcastle.
- Why
- His immediate focus is his health and returning for round one of the 2027 NRL season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
the immediate focus is his health
I don’t know if it will [be finalised by November 1]
Came with love and left with even more.
Penrith asked Cleary’s management what figure he might seek if he considered offers from rival NRL clubs.
Cleary suffered a double compound fracture to his left leg in Penrith’s loss to Newcastle.
Cleary thanked Fowler on social media after she travelled to Sydney to be with him.
SMH reported that Cleary’s contract talks had been put on hold while he focused on recovery.
- Injury
- Double compound fracture to his left leg
- Additional injury
- Broken bone in his right foot
- Club
- Penrith Panthers
- Return target
- Round one of the 2027 NRL season
- Free agency
- Cleary is likely to become a free agent for the first time after November 1
Sources
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