How Premier League giants Manchester City are bringing Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary closer together – after they finally went Instagram official

NRL premiers Penrith are about to experience first hand what makes English Premier League and European champions Manchester City tick – with the move sure to bring Nathan Cleary and his girlfriend Mary Fowler closer together.

Always looking for a competitive edge, Ivan Cleary’s men will train at the home of the Citizens next month ahead of the World Club Challenge against Wigan on February 24.

And City’s world-class facilities – worth a reported $380million – are impressive to say the least, with 16 football fields as well as a gym, pool and massage rooms.

Superstar Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary – who has finally confirmed his relationship with Matildas and Manchester City winger Mary Fowler on Instagram – will also enjoy a game day experience with his teammates as guests of the club when Chelsea visit Etihad Stadium on February 18.

While Fowler didn’t help secure the sporting partnership, the constant headlines surrounding the high-profile sporting couple wouldn’t have hurt.

Nathan Cleary (pictured, with girlfriend Mary Fowler) will train at the home of the Citizens next month with his teammates ahead of the World Club Challenge against Wigan

Fowler is a key figure for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League competition

Pep Guardiola has won trophies for fun after joining the club in 2016 (pictured, with star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne)

Sadly, the young gun won’t be able to watch her boyfriend in the flesh, as the Matildas are playing Uzbekistan in a two-legged Olympic qualifier in Melbourne at the same time.

However, the trip will give Cleary an up close and personal look at a major part of his partner’s life. 

Panthers CEO Matt Cameron was humbled the EPL giants were happy to accommodate the all-conquering NRL squad, who will chase their fourth successive premiership this season.

‘We are incredibly appreciative of what Manchester City have offered us, the World Club Challenge is important to the club, but the chance for the playing group to go overseas and experience the City campus will be enormous,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘The club’s success in the last three years has helped with our brand awareness, and you can only imagine what linking with a club like City will do for us.

‘It’s a recognition in some ways that we are good enough to represent the NRL and our game on the international stage.’

Panthers back-rower Scott Sorensen is salivating at the opportunity to train at City’s base and said it will be a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience.

Penrith are desperate to win the World Club Challenge on English soil – they lost the 1991 World Club Challenge in Wigan 21-4 – and then went were beaten 22-4 by Bradford in Huddersfield in 2004.

Ivan Cleary’s men open their NRL premiership defence in 2024 with an away trip to Melbourne where they face Craig Bellamy’s Storm at AAMI Park on March 8.