(Photo Courtesy of New York Lizards)

New York Lizards’ star attackman Rob Pannell will be leaving Major League Lacrosse and joining the Premier Lacrosse League- who just finished their inaugural season. Dave Franklin first reported the news on Twitter on Saturday night.

Last fall, multiple sources close to both leagues told Lacrosse Bucket that Pannell would play out his MLL contract- which is reportedly set to expire in February of 2020- and join the PLL for their second season.

According to Franklin, Pannell is set to join the PLL’s seventh franchise that will be added this upcoming season. Lacrosse Bucket has yet to officially confirm that Pannell will indeed join the seventh franchise- who’s name and branding will be unveiled this winter.

However, Atlas LC midfielder and PLL co-founder Paul Rabi has stated publicly that the PLL will have a new players draft following the expansion draft.

Recognized as one of the greatest attackmen in the game, Pannell has had stellar career in both college and the pros, thus far. At Cornell, he helped lead the Big Red to an NCAA championship appearance as a freshman in 2009, won the Lt. Raymond Enners Award twice (2011,2013), won the Jack Turnbull Award twice (2010,2013), and was named the 2013 Tewaaraton Award Winner. He was also the first-ever player to be named Ivy League Player of the Year three times and was a nominee for the ESPY Best Collegiate Athlete award in 2013, as well.

Pannell was drafted first overall in the 2012 MLL draft by the New York Lizards and was named the Rookie of The Year in 2013, putting up 42 points (25 goals and 17 assists) in 10 games. Pannell has been selected as an All-Star each of his seven years in the MLL and was named the league MVP in 2018.

The attackman also helped lead the New York Lizards to an MLL championship in 2015. Last season, Pannell and the Lizards went 5-11 and missed the playoffs.

Pannell was also a member of Team USA for the 2014 and 2018 World Championships. He was named to the All-World Team in both years.