Penrith Panthers Secure Zakauri Clarke’s Future
The Penrith Panthers have made a significant move by extending the contract of young back-rower Zakauri Clarke for two more years. This decision highlights the club’s commitment to nurturing and developing talent within their ranks. The news comes just 24 hours after his younger brother, Cooper Clarke, signed a new three-year deal with the Storm, ensuring his presence in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2029 NRL season.
In a remarkable 24-hour period for the Clarke family, it has been reported that 21-year-old Zakauri has signed an extension to join Ivan Cleary’s top-30 squad at Penrith until the end of 2028. Zakauri was previously rewarded with a two-year deal at Penrith, which helped him progress through the club’s development list.
Zakauri is highly regarded at the Panthers, and many believe he has a legitimate chance of breaking into the first-grade squad, potentially as early as this year. It is understood that his contract extension was a priority for the Panthers and is integral to the club’s long-term strategy to build another premiership contender with a focus on youth.
Zakauri came through the Wests Tigers pathways before moving on to further his rugby league career at Penrith. He progressed through their U/21 side in the Jersey Flegg, before stepping up to the NSW Cup, where he has enjoyed a strong start to the reserve grade season in 2026.
The versatile edge forward, who can also play in the backline, has drawn comparisons to Cronulla’s try-scoring back-rower, Briton Nikora. And he already has two tries and nine goals in three NSW Cup games for the Panthers this season, convincing coach Cleary and club hierarchy that his future lies in Penrith.
New Deal Follows Brother Cooper Clarke’s Extension at Storm
Zakauri’s new deal comes a day after his 19-year-old brother Cooper committed his own long-term future to the Storm. The teenage sensation signed a three-year extension after impressing in all four of Melbourne’s NRL games this season.
The Storm have had huge expectations on the towering youngster since he came up through Melbourne’s pathways system. Clarke won the Jersey Flegg premiership with the Storm’s U/21 side last year and was also named the club’s SG Ball player of the year for their U/19 team.
He has made a seamless step up to first grade this year to cement himself in Bellamy’s best 17, after an off-season of upheaval at the club. Storm director of Football Frank Ponissi said Clarke’s contract extension is a just reward for his hard work and incredible development, and is excited for what the future holds with the young gun locked down long-term.
“Cooper is a young forward we’re really excited about. He’s earned his first-grade opportunity this season through hard work and made significant improvements to his game over the off-season,” Ponissi said.
“He’s a great competitor with a terrific attitude and a strong willingness to learn, and we’re looking forward to his continued development in a Melbourne Storm jersey over the coming years.”
