Originally from New Zealand, the Penrith Panthers fullback played eight of his 12 NRL games this year, but was stuck behind regular No.1 Dylan Edwards and the foot-of-the-mountain men also have Charlie Staines on their books - who re-signed with the Panthers until the end of 2023 last week.

The Raiders have also signed North Queensland Cowboys winger Elijah Anderson on a train-and-trial deal.

They've all-but finalised a two-year deal with winger Jordan Rapana, with just a few loose ends to tie up around the second year of the contract extension.

Aekins is good friends with fellow Kiwi Corey Harawira-Naera, who were both in the Penrith ranks before the latter switched to the Canterbury Bulldogs and then joined the Green Machine this season.

The 22-year-old can play fullback, centre or five-eighth, with an announcement potentially next week.

He'll supplement the young talent who emerged this season in Semi Valemei, Matthew Timoko, Harley Smith-Shields and Adam Cook - all four making their NRL debuts this year.

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It'll also help cover the loss of Nick Cotric, with the Canberra product joining the Bulldogs at the end of the season.

Anderson, 21, was yet to make his NRL debut, but played in the Cowboys' pre-season trial against the Brisbane Broncos.

Raiders recruitment boss Peter Mulholland said Anderson had two senior pre-seasons under his belt.

Mulholland also lured prop Corey Horsburgh from the Cowboys ahead of the 2018 season.

"[He's on a] train-and-trial until we decide if he goes into the top 30 when we've got a spot left or wherever else he goes," he said.

"He's got the opportunity to test himself and see how he goes.

"You can never have too many [young outside backs] and it's all succession planning.

"We've got to start looking at the next three years. He's an important part of that - I'm sure he's going to be quite good."