Three time NRL premiership winner and Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris will join the Warriors from next season.

In a shock move, the Penrith Panthers enforcer has signed a four year deal with the club.

Fisher-Harris, 28, who hails from Northland and was last year named the Golden Boot Award for the best international player in the game, has been released from the final two years of his Penrith contract on compassionate grounds to be closer to his family.

One of the biggest signings in the club history, Fisher-Harris will replace the departing Addin Fonua-Blake.

Given Fonua-Blake’s impact and impending departure to the Sharks from next season, the Warriors have been in desperate need of a middle forward leader for 2025 and beyond.

Fisher-Harris fits the bill perfectly, in both on field performance and leadership.

He previously worked with Warriors coach Andrew Webster when Webster, the now Dally M coach of the year, was an assistant to Ivan Cleary at the Panthers.

“He’s one of the game’s elite players, a super tough forward who sets and demands the highest standards,” Webster said in a club statement.

“He’ll add terrific value to our roster, to the club overall and he’ll also be invaluable as a mentor for our young players coming through.”

A veteran of 183 NRL games, Fisher-Harris has been the cornerstone of the Penrith pack throughout their three straight premierships.