LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Penrith Panthers have made another significant move by securing their second young playmaker from a rival club in just a few months as they strategize for the future.
Haami Loza, a five-eighth who recently debuted in the NSW Cup for the Newcastle Knights, has chosen to leave the club and has signed a two-year deal with the Panthers for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. His exit is unexpected, especially as the Knights also lost Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup standout Cooper Votano to the Melbourne Storm.
Loza, originally from New Zealand, has made a name for himself within the Knights' junior ranks since joining the club in 2023. He is currently active in the Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup competition. The transfer to Penrith provides a fresh opportunity for him, particularly given the Knights' recent signings of Parramatta Eels players Dylan Brown and Matthew Hunter, which would limit his chances of appearing in first-grade matches.
As he embarks on his professional journey, Loza becomes the second playmaker to join the Panthers, following the signing of Keahn Skipps from the Canberra Raiders. Skipps, who captained the Raiders Under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup team, has signed a three-year contract with Penrith, although his move has been surrounded by controversy regarding the conditions of his departure.