The 26-year-old hooker joins the club from St George Illawarra Dragons, where he played 132 NRL games over six seasons.

Panthers general manager Phil Gould said Rein would be a valuable addition to the club’s playing roster in 2017.

“It is very much to our club’s advantage to pick up such a high-calibre footballer for great value just prior to the commencement of our off-season training program,” he said.

“Mitch is a representative-class player and will provide our roster with tremendous depth and competition in key positions. I’d also like to think this could turn into a long-term association down the track.

“For now though, we are delighted to welcome Mitch to the Panthers. This is a tremendous signing.”

Rein said he was excited about the team’s prospects for 2017 and beyond.

“I am really excited to be joining the Panthers,” Rein said.

“It’s a young team with so much potential and the training facilities are world-class, like nothing else I have seen in the NRL.”