Penrith Panthers have officially released outside back Taylan May from his contract with the reigning NRL champions with immediate effect, something that will put plenty of NRL sides and Super League teams on notice.
The three-time-consecutive NRL champions confirmed his release in the early hours this morning with a statement reading: “Taylan May is departing the Penrith Panthers effective immediately and is seeking other opportunities.
“With respect to all parties, the club will make no further comment on the matter.”
For the time being, what those “other opportunities” are remains unclear but the 22-year-old still has a raft of domestic violence offences to deal with in court, having pleaded not guilty to stalking and three counts of domestic violence earlier this year.
May will be familiar to Super League fans for his brother, Tyrone, who plays for Hull KR and for his involvement in the World Club Challenge against Wigan in which he was denied a last-second try to win the game for the Panthers.
He established himself as one of the NRL’s most exciting talents in 2023 and that led to him penning a contract extension until 2026, worth $1.2 million across the upcoming two seasons.
Obviously, there is an ongoing court matter that must be addressed before any decisions on the future of Taylan May’s rugby league career are made, however, facts remain he is an exceptional talent.
So exceptional that Penrith were prepared to pay him an equivalent of just over £300,000 per year on a two-year deal to retain his talents, something that has reportedly been foregone with a settlement between the club and player agreed to per The Daily Telegraph.
Penrith Panthers have released outside back Taylan May from his contract, making him available to NRL and Super League teams. The three-time NRL champions announced his departure with a statement: “Taylan May is departing the Penrith Panthers effective immediately and is seeking other opportunities. With respect to all parties, the club will make no further comment on the matter.”
While May’s future opportunities are unclear, he still faces domestic violence charges in court. Known in Super League for his brother Tyrone, who plays for Hull KR, Taylan made a name for himself as an exciting NRL talent in 2023, securing a contract extension until 2026 worth $1.2 million over two years.
Despite the ongoing court case, May’s talent is undeniable, with Penrith willing to pay him over £300,000 per year. Reports suggest a confidential settlement was reached after a legal dispute over his contract. May is scheduled to face court in March 2025, so his return to rugby league might be delayed. However, he has previously considered moving to Super League, a potential option for tarnished NRL players looking to rebuild their careers.
For that reason, several Super League officials will be keeping an eye on that trial in March next year because sadly talent regularly outweighs morals when it comes to professional sports.
One such player who left the NRL and Australia after legal troubles of their own was Taylan’s brother Tyrone, who arrived in Catalans for the 2022 season after Penrith stood him down following social media posts he made relating to previous offences for which he’s avoided jail and been handed 300 hours of community service.
It has been reported this morning that Taylan May is actually in England and training with Hull KR’s youth team, something that has been reported by John Davidson and Rugby League Hub. Per those reports, the club have denied any interest in signing May and bringing him to Super League.
