Canterbury have confirmed one of rugby league’s worst-kept secrets, announcing the signing of two-time premiership winner Stephen Crichton on a four-year deal.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the NRL’s premier outside backs in recent seasons, featuring in both of Penrith’s grand final victories and playing representative football for both NSW and Samoa.

The club released a short statement on Saturday afternoon confirming Crichton’s deal.

“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are pleased to announce that Stephen Crichton has accepted a four-year deal that will see him join the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from the 2024 season onwards,” the statement read.

“Out of respect to both Stephen and the Penrith Panthers, the club will make no further comment until he joins us at the end of the 2023 season.”

After months of speculation, Crichton’s exit from the Panthers was confirmed last week, despite the club doing their best to keep the local junior long-term.

Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo have been circling Crichton’s movements since early November, with it now locked in that the star centre will be heading to the Bulldogs in 2024.

Crichton has played 76 NRL games since making his debut in 2016, scoring 41 tries and kicking 53 goals for the Panthers.