The South Sydney rugby league club have locked in a replacement for rugby union-bound Sam Burgess, with Penrith prop Tim Grant to join the Rabbitohs next season.
The Panthers on Friday agreed to release Grant from the final two years of his contract to link up with the Redfern-based NRL club in 2015.
He will, however, see out the remainder of the season with the Panthers.
The western Sydney outfit says Grant approached club officials "several weeks ago" about a possible release, but eventually agreed to stay until the end of 2016.
However, after a change of heart he again approached club bosses to ask for a release.
