The PNG Chiefs have locked in their latest signing with Kumuls international and Wakka Wakka man Zac Laybutt inking a two-year deal with the incoming NRL club.
Laybutt, 24, ran out for Papua New Guniea in the opening two matches of their World Cup campaign, and bolsters the Chiefs' assembled set of backs in their continuing signing spree.
The centre has made 42 NRL appearances with the Cowboys since his debut in 2023.
"Zac is a quality young man who brings a willingness to work hard for the team, and he will join our club with good NRL experience behind him and a bright future ahead of him," Chiefs coach Willie Peters said.
"We believe he will only continue to improve as a player and we're looking forward to watching him continue to develop with our team in the years ahead."
Laybutt is the third Kumuls representative to sign for the club ahead of their entry into the NRL in the 2028 season.
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The Chiefs have marked him as a centre and wing option, and 'athletic back who has also kicked goals at club and international level'.
His brother, Kyle, is a former Kumuls captain.
"We are delighted to have signed Zac, and his signing is particularly meaningful for us
as we build a club that proudly represents PNG," Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson said.
"Having Papua New Guinean players like Zac representing the PNG Chiefs will be incredibly important to our identity and he can help inspire the next generation of rugby league talent in this country by showing what is possible to achieve in the NRL."
Laybutt graduated into the Cowboys NRL squad via the club pathways.
He signed an extension running through to the end of the 2027 season last year.
He joins fellow Kumul representative Alex Johnston, another First Nations star in Connor Watson and major names in Jarome Luai and Brian To'o on their growing roster.
The Chiefs are reportedly closing in on another marquee recruit in NSW Blues and Canberra second-rower Hudson Young.
