NORTH Queensland have kick started plans for life after Johnathan Thurston by securing Penrith gun Te Maire Martin on a three-year-deal.

Languishing in reserve grade at the Panthers, the five-eighth will move to Townsville immediately as he’s groomed to take the reins from Thurston once the champion half hangs up the boots.

The club confirmed Martin’s departure on Friday afternoon.

“Te Maire came to us with the hope of developing his career,” Panthers general manager Phil Gould said.

Round 20

“He made his NRL debut at the Panthers and it led to him earning representative honours for New Zealand at the Four Nations.

“I have no doubt Te Maire will have a long and successful career in the NRL, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Martin has signed until the end of 2019, a season longer than Thurston’s current deal.

The Test and Origin star recently extended his contract until the end of next season but Martin is likely to play plenty of first grade alongside his mentor in a utility capacity.

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Te Maire Martin. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The arrival of Martin comes at a good time with experience hooker-half Ray Thompson battling a chronic knee injury.

It’s understood the Panthers will release the five-eighth despite Martin still having a year to run on his deal.

The Cowboys weren’t the only team keen on luring the No. 6 from the foot of the mountains with the Wests Tigers and Warriors also expressing interest in the playmaker before he decided to sign on with the 2015 premiers.

Martin’s pick-up comes after North Queensland first tried to lure the 21-year-old to the Sunshine state two years ago.

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In 2015 Martin was one of the hottest young prospects on the market and he almost joined the Cowboys then, only for Phil Gould to trump the bid when he personally weighed in to Penrith’s pitch.

It’s understood the Cowboys now believe a halves pairing of Martin and Origin utility Michael Morgan could be the future of the club.

Martin made his NRL debut for the Panthers last year after leaving the Tigers’ NYC program. That same year, he made his international debut.