Penrith Panthers centre Dean Whare says former St George Illawarra rake Mitch Rein will be a good addition to a Panthers roster bursting at the seams.

Rein knocked back an offer from the Dragons early in 2016 which was then pulled from the table leaving the hooker without a team.

The Panthers came knocking at the eleventh hour and Whare says Rein’s work ethic is already rubbing off at training.

“Mitch Rein had a good career with the Dragons and I think coming here will spark something good for him and he’s been training really well, he’s one of the fittest in the team,” Whare told NRL.com.

“Last time I played with him was when I was at Dragons in Toyota Cup [2008-09].

“I played with him for a few years and for him to come here now, he’s a good signing.”