Penrith Panthers is delighted to announce Charlie Staines has signed a contract extension with the club.
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The new deal means the 20-year-old outside back has committed to Panthers until at least the end of the 2023 season.
"Panthers has done so much for me and my family so it feels good to repay that faith they've shown in me," Staines said.
"I took my time to consider all options but at the end of the day my heart is here in Penrith and I'm very happy to re-sign.
I took my time to consider all options but at the end of the day my heart is here in Penrith and I'm very happy to re-sign
- Charlie Staines
"There's such a special bond that all the players and staff have here.
"It feels like a big family.
"Wherever I can fit into this team moving forward, I'll play, because I just want to be a part of it."
Staines made his NRL debut with the club this season.
"Charlie's brief foray in the NRL earlier this year gave us a glimpse of what he has to offer," Panthers General Manager Rugby League Matt Cameron said.
"He has progressed through the Panthers development pathways and typifies our club's guiding principle of 'built from within'.
"Given the significant interest from other parties in the NRL, we're excited that Charlie has decided to commit to our club for the next three years.
"Our consistent message throughout the process has been that we feel the Panthers environment will allow Charlie to continue to grow into the player and the person that we know he can be.
"We're extremely pleased that he has arrived at that same conclusion and look forward to watching him develop in the years ahead."
The Forbes Magpies junior first joined Panthers as a member of the club's SG Ball squad in 2018, he headed off to Sydney after playing in back-to-back under 18s and first grade Group 11 premierships.
The following year he made his senior debut in the Canterbury Cup competition and was named NSWRL Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.
Staines scored four tries on NRL debut in Round 9 this season and followed it with another two tries in his second game in Round 12.
Unfortunately, he sustained a hamstring injury scoring and aggravated that when he returned to training.
Panthers physio Peter Green said in his updates that Staines had been "super dedicated" in working to overcome the injury.
The Panthers were named 2020 minor premiers and will meet the Rabbitohs in their preliminary final this Saturday evening.
