Campbell first to ink deal with
Gold Coast

The new Gold Coast franchise has announced Penrith five-eighth Preston Campbell as the club's first signing for it's inaugural NRL campaign in 2007.

Campbell, who will remain with the Panthers until the end of next season, has signed a three-year deal with the club. The 28-year-old says he has put his hand up to be the club's first captain though no decision has been made on that.

Campbell has had long been linked with a move to the new team as he lived in the area and began his career with the now defunct Gold Coast Chargers in 1998 before going on to play with Cronulla and Penrith.

With their first signing now out of the way, the Gold Coast will turn its attention to the rest of the playing roster, with St George Illawarra prop Luke Bailey also linked with a move north.