Penrith Panthers Set to Secure ‘Dangerous’ Winger Tyrell Sloan as Perfect Replacement for Dylan Edwards
Penrith Panthers are reportedly on the verge of finalising a blockbuster move for St George Illawarra Dragons star Tyrell Sloan, with sources close to the club hailing the 22-year-old as the “perfect replacement” for departing fullback Dylan Edwards.
In a deal that has been quietly brewing for weeks, Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary is believed to have personally identified Sloan as the ideal successor to Edwards, who will officially join the Canberra Raiders in a record-breaking deal ahead of the 2026 NRL season.
Sloan, one of the most electrifying backline talents in the league, has built a reputation as a dangerous attacking threat capable of turning a game in a matter of seconds. His blistering speed, evasive footwork, and growing maturity as a ball-handler have attracted suitors across the NRL — but it’s the Panthers who have surged ahead in negotiations.
Club insiders suggest Penrith are prepared to offer Sloan a lucrative multi-year contract reportedly worth upwards of $2.5 million over four seasons — a significant commitment that underlines their confidence in his long-term potential.
“Tyrell is a special kind of talent — one of those rare players who only needs half a chance to break a game wide open,” a Panthers recruitment official told The League Herald. “We believe under the Panthers system, his ceiling is even higher. He’s got the X-factor to be our new fullback and help usher in the next phase of Penrith dominance.”
Dylan Edwards has been a cornerstone of Penrith’s premiership-winning sides in recent years, but club officials are adamant they must evolve as key personnel move on. Sloan, whose Dragons side struggled for consistency in 2024, has long expressed a desire to play finals football — a dream the Panthers are well-positioned to offer.
While no official announcement has been made, reports suggest Sloan has already met with key members of the Panthers’ coaching staff and is undergoing medical assessments this week.
Dragons fans will be disappointed to lose one of their brightest homegrown products, though the club is expected to receive significant salary cap relief that could be reinvested into their rebuilding efforts. Meanwhile, Panthers fans are buzzing at the prospect of Sloan wearing the black jersey in 2026.
Rugby league analyst Braith Anasta weighed in on the deal during a segment on NRL360, saying, “This is a massive coup for Penrith. Tyrell Sloan in a structured, dominant side like the Panthers could be a nightmare for opposition defences. He’s raw, but the upside is enormous.”
If the move is finalised in the coming days, Sloan would join a squad still brimming with talent despite recent exits. With a strong system, elite coaching, and a winning culture, the Panthers may have found the ideal weapon to maintain their NRL supremacy.
As for Sloan, the stage is set for a new chapter — one that could define the next era of his career.
