Scott Sorensen set to sign with Perth Bears as club unveils homegrown jersey partner

Four time NRL premiership winner Scott Sorensen is set to become the first Kiwi international to sign with Mal Meninga's Perth Bears as the club also announces a homegrown construction company as its back of jersey partner.

Sorensen has reportedly informed the Penrith Panthers that he will sign a multi year deal that will see him join the Bears for sides first match in the NRL come 2027, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Having played a key role in Penrith's four-peat, the 32 year old will be joined by fellow Panther Liam Henry and will bring a wealth of experience to the Bears set up that also features the pairs former assistant coach Ben Gardiner.

Sorenson played just 39 games in seven seasons with stints at Cronulla and Canberra before joining the champion Penrith side in 2021 and is expected to slot into the back-row for Perth alongside Englishman James McDonnell.

The Bears are rumoured to be in talks with Sifa Talakai and Mavrik Geyer, and have already signed Melbourne's Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney, as well as Toby Sexton, Sean Russel and Harry Newman with Sorensen an obvious leader as the squad begins to shape up.

Off the field things are going from strength to strength wtih Atlas Building, a home grown construciton company that has developed some of the states most iconic buildings has been announced as an inugural sponsor on the back of the Bears jersey, joining a host of major partners including Cash Converters, McDonald's, Budget Direct, Gage Roads, IBM and New Balance.

Under the leadership of Julian Ambrose, Atlas are long-time champions of local rugby league – a commitment that will continue on top of the Perth Bears partnership.

“As a Western Australian-owned and operated company we are proud to be able to partner with the Perth Bears as they enter the NRL Premiership as a Western Australian team,” Ambrose said.

“To be involved in the further development of rugby league at a senior and community level in our own state is not only an honour but also personally satisfying.”  

Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said the Perth Bears are the msot exciting story - and the best opportunity in Australian sport.

"We wake up every morning feeling privileged to have the opportunity to bring the country's most-watched sporting code to Western Australia," he said.

“We are honoured that the WA business community, including very respected leaders like Julian Ambrose, are throwing their major backing behind the Bears.”