MATT Ford urged Pirates reserve Nicolai Klindt to “prove his worth” after completing the full transfer of the popular Dane from Wolverhampton.

Poole parted with an undisclosed fee to reel in a rider who has made a fine start to the season in Britain and beyond.

Not only has the 28-year-old performed well in the SGB Premiership and in domestic leagues on the continent, he has also qualified for this summer’s prestigious Speedway European Championship alongside the likes of Nicki Pedersen, Grigory Laguta, Przemek Pawlicki and Vaclav Milik.

Ford, who initially discussed the transfer with Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten at the end of last year, feels Klindt’s elevation to Europe’s elite individual competition shows his full potential remains untapped.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s trip to Monmore (6pm), Ford told the Daily Echo: “Nic’s qualification for the SEC proves he is capable of achieving more in the sport. When Chris asked me if I would consider purchasing him, my immediate response was ‘of course’.

“Nic feels it is a move which will benefit him. He has picked up more sponsorship in Poole than he has had in his entire UK career and is such a likeable lad.

“I think he will give everything for the club. Like every other rider who dons the skull and crossbones, it’s down to him to prove his worth but I have no doubt he will be a good asset.

“In the past few years, we have been unlucky with a few injuries and retirements. I have always felt that if there is the chance to bring people in to make us better and give us options, then that is a worthy cause. I think this is exactly that kind of signing.”

League leaders Wolverhampton are in flying form having racked up no fewer than seven wins on the spin, including home thumpings of Rye House, King’s Lynn and Somerset.

Pirates lost 50-40 at Wolves in the first leg of the Elite Shield in March but turned the tie round with a resounding 58-32 success in the return clash, although Peter Adams’s side have since brought in impressive duo Rory Schlein and Mark Riss.

Klindt will be hopeful of a repeat performance at his old stomping ground having bagged 16 in the opening Shield tie.

Meanwhile, the Esbjerg and Krakow rider is hopeful of ending a lengthy hiatus from international duty by making Denmark's Speedway World Cup squad.

Selected in 2009 and a silver medallist in 2010, Klindt has not ridden in a World Cup since but is optimistic he can feature in July's prestigious event.

He said: "I was very disappointed not to be in the Denmark squad last year, although I knew I wasn't good enough to get into the four which would be riding.

"I think I was overlooked in favour of some other people who were only in there because of their names. Form at the time is what is important and I know I can beat anyone."