Nathan Cleary has delivered a huge revelation on rumours that he could leave Penrith Panthers and move to the Super League to be closer to his girlfriend and Manchester City star, Mary Fowler.
Fresh from leading Penrith Panthers to their fourth-straight NRL Grand Final victory last week, Cleary – who was wearing a Hull Kingston Rovers jersey – was in the house at Old Trafford on Saturday evening and appeared to be sat alongside Fowler.
The pair watched on as Wigan Warriors were crowned back-to-back Super League champions after beating Hull Kingston Rovers 9-2. It means Penrith will now take on Wigan in the Club World Challenge next year.
His appearance at Old Trafford comes amid huge speculation that the NRL superstar could move to the Super League in order to be closer to Fowler.
Aussie rugby league great and television personality Matty Johns was one who had spoken of his fears this week that clubs from around the Super League could look to poach the Penrith superstar.
Cleary, whose contract at Penrith is due to expire in 2027 according to Channel Nine, appeared for an interview at half-time with Sky Sports Rugby League presenter Jenna Brooks.
Nathan Cleary has spoken out on rumours linking him to a potential move to play rugby league in the United Kingdom
Cleary has travelled to the UK to spend time with his girlfriend Mary Fowler and Sky Sports panned to the crowd to show the pair in the stands – though the top of Cleary’s head was just visible
The Penrith star stepped down to the touchline at half-time where he spoke to Sky Sports on Penrith’s Grand Final win and speculation linking him to a move to the Super League
The presenter talked through what’s been a huge week for the Penrith playmaker, but was keen to press him on his future in the NRL and whether the rumours over a potential move to the UK were true.
‘I have to ask, there’s been these persistent rumours and they’re just not going away that perhaps we might see you playing in Super League in the not too distant future given that Mary Fowler, you’re beautiful girlfriend is playing over here for Manchester City. So when can we see you in Super League – maybe Hull KR?’ Brooks asked.
But Cleary poured cold water on the rumours that he could leave the NRL and move to the UK.
‘Not any time soon, to be honest,’ Cleary told Sky Sports. ‘I’ve seen all the rumours. But get to come over here and see her [Mary] play, which is nice and have a break.
‘But won’t be moving over here anytime soon.’
Cleary poured cold water on the speculation that he could move to the UK, claiming ‘I won’t be moving over here anytime soon’
Earlier in the week, Fowler had starred in Manchester City’s 2-0 win against Barcelona
His dad and coach Ivan Cleary hinted last week that the Penrith halfback could delay undergoing surgery on his injured shoulder to travel to the UK to spend time with Fowler.
The Matildas star also featured in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday.
She is also likely to be in action later on Sunday, as Man City travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.
‘It’s great to be here, it’s a great atmosphere and a pretty good first-half,’ Cleary said to Sky Sports.
Reflecting on the celebrations following Penriths’ victory last weekend, Cleary said: ‘It’s been great! A couple of big days. It honestly feels surreal still, so very grateful for what we’ve been able to do.
‘Now we get some downtime to just enjoy it and relax.’
There had been much speculation that Cleary could move over to the UK to be closer to Fowler left
Cleary is also a good friend of Hull KR’s Tyrone May, with the pair having played together at Penrith between 2017 and 2021.
He added: ‘I’m just here to support my best mate Tyrone May.
‘It was pretty harshly fought,’ he added on the first-half of the match. ‘Hull KR started to win the field position and Bevan French is a freak. He just broke the game open and every time he touches the ball he looks pretty dangerous to be honest.’
Penrith stars celebrated their side’s fourth consecutive premiership victory this week, with Fowler also showing her support to her boyfriend from the United Kingdom.
Last weekend she posted a picture of herself online wearing a Penrith shirt while giving two thumbs up.
It was exclusively revealed by Daily Mail Australia that Cleary and Fowler were dating back in 2023
The Matildas star only needed one word to show how overjoyed she was with her man’s incredible fourth premiership win in a row
Fowler had also posted a picture of herself celebrating the NRL Grand Final win by wearing a Penrith shirt
She had also posted a message paying tribute to her boyfriend on her Instagram story, sharing a picture of him with the NRL premiership trophy, while captioning the image: ‘Him’, before adding a ‘love eyes’ emoji and a ‘fire’ emoji.
But some have raised fears over his future playing in Australia though amid the speculation.
Former rugby league player, Johns suggested earlier this week that rugby clubs in Europe could be making bids ‘sooner rather than later’.
‘My only fear with Nathan is him going to England puts him pretty much in the spotlight or basically he’s right in the backyard of these big French rugby clubs and European rugby clubs,’ Johns said on his SEN program Morning Glory with Matty Johns on Friday.
‘And there would be a temptation there (to poach him). Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make a bid sooner rather than later, that’s the only thing that would concern me.’
Cleary and his teammates asserted themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of Australian sport with their 14-6 win over the Storm
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed that Nathan and Mary had begun dating back in 2023.
They have since emerged as Australia’s leading sports duo and garnered thousands of responses from football and rugby league fans around the world for their posts on social media.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk