MATT Ford reckons Pirates have signed the new Maciej Janowski after swooping for Polish youngster Kacper Woryna on a full transfer.

One of world speedway's most promising talents, Woryna has made a permanent switch from Coventry and is set to take his place in the Poole line-up for 2018, provided the British Speedway Promoters' Association's end-of-season AGM throws up nothing unexpected.

The grandson of former Pirates star Antoni, the 20-year-old finished second in Monday's International Ekstraliga Individual Championship, beating the likes of Jason Doyle, Bartosz Zmarzlik, Tai Woffinden and Patryk Dudek in the process.

Woryna also impressed in last night's Speedway Best Pairs in Gniezno, racking up 12 points from six rides in front of the Eurosport cameras.

The Rybnik-born ace, a world under-21 finalist this year, first arrived in British speedway ahead of the 2016 campaign when he joined Coventry amid reported interest from Pirates.

But now Woryna has found his way to Dorset and promoter Ford is delighted to have got his man.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "We had been in discussions to bring Kacper in earlier this season but because of his contracts in Poland and Sweden, it wasn't the best time.

"He was always on my radar for 2018. I am looking at what is best for the future of the club in terms of its assets and while we have some great assets on our retained list with the likes of Maciej Janowski, Antonio Lindback and Chris Holder, some of these guys are at the top of their game and are not quite so committed to British speedway now, so we need to get the next best.

"I believe bringing in Kacper will give us that and I see him taking over the mantle of Magic in the next few years.

"His form in Poland has been outstanding and he has regularly taken scalps of the very best."

Ford admitted Woryna's hunger to race in the skull and crossbones had made him an attractive proposition to bring in as a full asset.

The boss added: "Kacper has always made his feelings abundantly clear as he is actually a Poole Pirates fan.

"His grandfather represented the club in the 1970s and was very popular with the fans, so Kacper grew up a Pirates fan.

"He always used to have a skull and crossbones on his Kevlars, up until joining Coventry. This kid has got it and the fact he wants to be with us so much is a great bonus.

"He has family who live in Bournemouth and everything about it works perfectly. I think it's a marriage made in heaven.

"He will certainly be the first name on the team sheet for 2018, barring anything untoward arising from the AGM, and he has been brought in with the view of being here for a good few years."