LAKESIDE have snapped up Poole Pirates legend Bjarne Pedersen for the 2016 season.
The 37-year-old Dane, second on the Wimborne Road club's all-time scorer's list, returns to British speedway after a brief and ultimately ill-fated stint at Leicester last season.
He fills a heat-leader berth at the Arena Essex Raceway with co-promoter and team boss Jon Cook delighted to secure his services.
Cook said: "Bjarne has an average that has room for considerable improvement, a temperament that will fit well within our team mentality and, most of all, he wanted to ride for this club over others.
"Last season we had our first genuine No.1 rider in several seasons in AJ (Andreas Jonsson) but lacked the experienced heat-leader to back him up and allow our young riders to score freely without the burden of expectation. Bjarne, like Davey Watt and PK (Peter Karlsson) before him, fits the mould perfectly."
During his time with Poole, Pedersen won three league titles, two Craven Shields, three Knockout Cups and a League Cup.
Elsewhere, King's Lynn have re-signed Rory Schlein, who returns to the sport after breaking his back last season.
The Stars have also confirmed the signing of Danish rider Mads Korneliussen, who last rode for the club in 2013.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here