CHRIS Harris signed for Peterborough for the 2019 SGB Premiership campaign – and then insisted he had not been part of Pirates' team plans.

The Cornishman proved the catalyst for Poole's remarkable charge to the league title this year, memorably producing a sensational ride to send the Dorset club into the play-off final at the expense of Somerset.

And although he expressed an interest in a return to Wimborne Road, former Grand Prix star Harris ended up elsewhere.

Writing on Twitter, he said: "Delighted to announce I will be racing for the Panthers in the Premiership for 2019.

"Before people start hounding me about not returning to Poole, I would like to make it clear that I was not part of Poole's team plans."

Harris joins Peterborough for a third spell, with Panthers chief Ged Rathbone delighted to get his man.

Rathbone told the club website: “Bomber loved his time at Peterborough when he was here previously and there were probably only two teams he would have gone to in the Premiership.

“We are absolutely over the moon that he chose to come to us. We saw what he can still do in the play-offs last season with Poole and that’s what we want from him.

“From Chris’s point of view, it’s a really good move and it means his family can watch him as there’s not too much travelling.

“We want him to come here and enjoy his speedway as he did when he was with us before."

Poole boss Matt Ford is due to announce the club's first signing at the Riders' Equipment Fund quiz night at Wimborne Road tomorrow.