PENRITH are on the verge of announcing the return of Ivan Cleary to the club, with an official statement reportedly due on Saturday.

According to The Australian reporter Brent Read, both the Panthers and Wests Tigers have “reached an agreement” for Cleary to swap clubs.

Cleary was contracted to the Tigers for the next two seasons, but his situation at the club became untenable after originally agreeing to join the Panthers from 2021 to 2023.

With the additional two years, Cleary will be on contract with the Panthers for a total of five years.

The deal now allows him to coach his son Nathan, something the duo have publicly expressed they’d like to do.

With a compensation deal set to be struck between the clubs, the Tigers are also expected to announce the appointment of New Zealand coach Michael Maguire.

Maguire, who is currently on tour with the Kiwis in England, has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $2.5 million.

The news comes less than 24 hours after South Sydney announced the signing of Wayne Bennett for 2020 and 2021.

The master coach’s move south is effectively a swap with current Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold who is expected to be officially announced as Bennett’s successor after a club board meeting next Tuesday.