While Cleary was contracted until the end of the 2012 season, Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah said both parties had agreed on an early release enabling Cleary to take up a three-year contract as Penrith's new coach.

"We wish the Warriors and Ivan all the best for the remainder of the 2011 season."

"At this time we would like to thank the NZ Warrior's management for their professionalism and understanding in dealing with this matter.

"Ivan Cleary is the man best qualified to take our club into the future.

“This followed an approach by Phil Gould, which Ivan informed us of. At that point, both Ivan and the club confirmed a commitment to see out the full term of his contract to the end of the 2012 season. We also agreed to talk at a later date about the future beyond 2012.

“While we were discussing the potential to extend Ivan's contract over the last week, it became apparent to both parties that Ivan had a chance to secure his long-term coaching career with Penrith immediately and that we were not in a position at the moment to guarantee a similar term. Given the circumstances, it also became clear to both of us that it wouldn't have been in anyone's interests for Ivan to fulfil the last year of his contract with the Vodafone Warriors when he had an immediate opportunity offering him significant security elsewhere.

“We're excited for Ivan that he has this opportunity at this stage of his career and we're grateful to him for the fantastic contribution he has made to the Vodafone Warriors.”

Majority shareholder Eric Watson paid tribute to Cleary for his efforts for the club both as a player and as NRL coach.

“Ivan has played a pivotal role with this club, initially on the field in helping us to reach our first grand final in 2002 and later as both an assistant coach and then our head coach,” he said.