In the end, Phil Gould gave his blessing.
But Bryce Cartwright admits the Penrith boss' initial reaction to his Gold Coast Titans move wasn't as cheerful.
Cartwright, 23, has officially begun life as a Titan with his first training session on Friday after a shock exit from the Panthers with three years left on his contract.
The NRL prodigy said he left Penrith with no hard feelings after craving a fresh start following a nightmare 2017 marred by injury and off-field controversy.
Cartwright says Gould wasn't happy when he broke the news that he wanted to take up a four-year Titans deal in 2018.
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"He was upset," Cartwright said.
"I signed my first contract there when I was 15 so I've been there since I was a young kid.
"It was upsetting ...but luckily we worked something out."
Cartwright said Gould reluctantly agreed getting out of the Sydney fishbowl was the smart choice after a horror 2017 full of off-field drama.
"He was upset ... (but) he was fine with it. He thought it was a good move for myself to get out of Sydney and for a fresh start," he said.
Cartwright is the third Panther the Titans have signed and Penrith have also lost former skipper Matt Moylan to Cronulla, sparking rumours of a player rift with coach Anthony Griffin.
Cartwright insisted he had no problem with Griffin but did not enjoy being pigeonholed as a half at Penrith and wanted a back-row start at the Titans.
"I am not too sure what happened with Moylan," he said.
"But he (Griffin) gave me a ring as soon as this happened and wished me the best.
"I had a great relationship with Hook (Griffin)."
