The Panthers have signed Parramatta's grand final hooker Kevin Kingston after he was forced out of the club by the salary cap.

Kingston was hopeful of staying with the Eels, with the hooker even offering to hand back his match payments in order to remain at the club.

But Panthers boss Michael Leary said they were eager to poach the 26-year-old to fill the void left by rake Paul Aiton's departure to the Sharks.

"Kevin is an ideal player for our team having gained a lot of experience in making it to this year's grand final," he said.

Kingston put pen to paper on Tuesday to the one-year contract.

Following him out west is Canberra winger Adrian Purtell who also signed with the Panthers on Tuesday to a two-year deal.

Although Purtell's career has been disrupted by injury and poor form, Leary said he was confident the 24-year-old would add depth to the side.

Penrith have been on a signing spree of late, after already obtaining the services of controversial Tigers prop Daine Laurie and Canberra second-rower Nigel Plum.

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