Penrith have officially confirmed that Ivan Cleary will join the NRL club as head coach on a five-year deal.

Ivan will join his play-making son Nathan at the Panthers after securing a release from the final two years of his contract at the Wests Tigers.

“Personally I had a feeling of unfinished business with a club and a community that my family and I enjoy a strong connection with, from grassroots through to NRL players, staff and management,” Cleary said in a statement.