Brian To’o in sad development star player $6m exit from Penrith Panthers
After losing two more “brothers” to the Penrith Panthers this season, Brian To’o now faces another devastating blow with Jarome Luai’s decision to leave the team. During their time with the Panthers, To’o forged enduring relationships with fellow Samoan athletes Luai, Stephen Crichton, and Spencer Leniu, referring to them as more like brothers than teammates.
However, To’o will be the only player remaining in the Panthers lineup from the quartet in 2025. For the 2024 campaign, Crichton will play for the Canterbury Bulldogs, while Leniu will represent the Roosters.
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To’o has suffered yet another devastating blow when Luai revealed last week that he will sign a $6 million, five-year contract with the Wests Tigers in 2025. After winning three straight premierships, the Panthers are now victims of both the NRL salary cap and their own success.
They have had to bid farewell to Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, and Api Koroisau in addition to Luai, Crichton, and Leniu in recent years due to financial constraints. Furthermore, even though To’o, Luai, Crichton, and Leniu will probably always be pals, having toDivide and conquer
At To’o’s wedding last year, Luai served as best man and Crichton as groomsman. When Crichton announced his decision to join the Bulldogs last year, “Bizza” (To’o) was the first person he told. “He was quite emotional, as was his companion. We grew up together, and ever since football began, he has been my best friend.
It was a bit depressing to tell him. Out of all the lads, I told him first, but I’m simply trying to savor our last few sessions with Bizza. We’re really close. All that brought us together was our shared bond and mutual accomplishment.
“Off the field, though, it’s just always enjoyable to fool around and have fun. Additionally, our families are quite tight. We’ve kind of been together since we were little since we attend the same church. Although we are not blood brothers, we have chosen to be brothers. Even if I don’t see him for three months, we can still get together one day and feel as though we’ve always been together.
