PROMOTER Matt Ford recruited Brady Kurtz for Poole Pirates' 2016 title tilt and then insisted the Aussie sensation could assume Darcy Ward's mantle.

The 19-year-old is due to line up in the Pirates septet next year on a 5.24 average having completed a much-touted full transfer from Premier League Somerset.

Ford, who revealed his interest in Kurtz in an exclusive Daily Echo interview in May, explained that the teenager was a long-term investment by the Elite League champions.

And he added that the New South Wales charger would be a serious candidate to take over from the injured Ward as the club's prime points-scoring machine.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "I see this being a long-term commitment from Poole to Brady and he is someone that I look forward to working with for a number of years.

"I'm sure that each season he will improve and in two or three years, I see him taking over the mantle from Darcy.

"He needs experience but there is no doubt that having lost Darcy to a dreadful injury and with Maciej Janowski choosing to sit out British racing in 2016, we need to make sure we're bringing through the best of the next crop of riders.

"Brady is one of a couple of parts of that plan.

"He's very level-headed and an extremely easy lad to get on with and I see no reason why he won't be leading the Pirates for many years to come. I'm really pleased that he has chosen to commit his future to Poole."

Kurtz has spent the past two seasons at Somerset and enjoyed Knockout Cup success with the Rebels in October as they defeated Edinburgh in a thrilling final.

He had previously helped the Oak Tree Arena club secure the Four-Team Championship and Premier Shield in 2014, the same year he retained the New South Wales under-21 crown.

Kurtz has no plans to double up next term with his focus firmly on establishing himself in the top tier of British racing.

And the new recruit arrives with a glowing reference from ex-Poole and Swindon rider Leigh Adams, who has advised the youngster on his career.

Ford added: "I remember speaking to Leigh Adams about him and Leigh said he was the best that he had seen since Darcy.

"I'm sure Brady would cite Darcy as being the biggest influence on his career as he has learned a lot from him.

"He is a very exciting young talent and clearly he is going to have a very big future."

Poole have just two more team places to fill for 2016 and have 15.23 points remaining of the 40.5 limit.

Pirates line-up to date: Krzysztof Buczkowski 6.48, Hans Andersen 6.45, Brady Kurtz 5.24, Kyle Newman 4.10, Adam Ellis 3.00.