Panthers star Brent Naden undergoes 'voluntary rehabilitation' at Sydney facility

Panthers star Brent Naden is under the care of medical professionals after voluntarily admitting himself into a rehabilitation clinic.

Naden was admitted to South Pacific Private in the week after Penrith's grand final loss to Melbourne, having approached the Panthers welfare team to discuss his issues with alcohol, according to The Daily Telegraph.

"Following the 2020 NRL Grand Final, Brent Naden approached the club and disclosed a number of personal issues he wished to address," the club said in a statement released this afternoon.

"As a result, Brent is currently undertaking a voluntary rehabilitation program in a private Sydney facility.

"Brent, his family, his management and the club kindly ask the media to respect his privacy and will be making no further comment at this time."

The Daily Telegraph reports Naden admitted to Panthers welfare staff that he had been affected by the racial abuse he had experienced in Gosford late in the season.

Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher confirmed that the NRL had been notified of Naden's admission.