Fronting a media conference this afternoon, Ponga told the packed crowd he would be a Knight until the end of the 2027 NRL season.

“It’s a proud moment,” he said.

Just days ago it was reported the Knights had taken the deal off the table.

The 24-year-old said the media attention had not been a distraction.

“My focus has been on winning and also the position we are on the ladder right now,” he said.

“It’s hard to think about anything else but winning.”

A meeting with incoming Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett a few weeks ago also inflamed rumours about Ponga’s future.

He admitted joining the Dolphins was an option.

“For me, the way we’ve always gone about things, you put all the options on the table so you know what’s in front of you,” he said.

Ponga was signed with the Knights until the end of the 2024 season, but a clause in the contract gave him until June 30 to activate the final two years.

The new deal starts next season and replaces all existing options and clauses from the current contract.

“It is going to be good to have all the Rugby Union and other questions after games out the window,” Ponga said.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said the long-term signing was great for the game.

“He brings a lot of people to this game, there’s a lot of young kids running around backyards pretending they’re KP,” he said.