CO-PROMOTER Danny Ford described as “very exciting” the signing of Stefan Nielsen, as Pirates continued to build their SGB Championship class of 2020.

Nielsen re-joins the Dorset club on a 4.40 average, having represented them for a short spell in the SGB Premiership in May 2018.

The Esbjerg-born charger came in to replace James Shanes but saw his time in the skull and crossbones last just four meetings, after breaking his leg in a spectacular home-straight crash against Wolverhampton.

He scored 22 paid 26 across those outings, including an impressive 11 paid 13 against Rye House at Wimborne Road.

Owner Matt Ford in June 2018 told the Daily Echo he would look to recruit Nielsen again.

And son Danny, who is taking a more hands-on role with the club this campaign, was pleased to confirm Pirates had got their man.

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s a very exciting signing for us.

“Stefan had a spell with the Pirates before and really impressed in his last stint. We are really happy to welcome him back into the team.

“Unfortunately, his last stint was cut short by injury so, fingers crossed, he can produce the kind of form we were seeing from him before.

“He was a real fan favourite in that short spell with the club.

“We brought him in as a replacement at reserve and he really impressed. I remember him scoring double figures, so it’s a positive signing and one that is really welcome.

“Stefan has that little bit of history with the club, has worked with us before and we know what he is capable of around our track.

“If Stefan can produce the kind of form we know he can, even coming in as a second string or reserve, he is going to be strong for us.

“His average fit our plans, so it just seemed to be a good match.”

The two-time British under-19 champion becomes the second rider to be announced by the Wimborne Road outfit for next season, joining Steve Worrall in the septet.

Some Championship clubs having already finalised their respective one-to-sevens but Danny Ford remains confident in Pirates’ team building strategy.

“For us, we have put plans into place. We were just not in a position to announce riders until our position in the Championship was confirmed,” he said.

“We do have our three heat leaders pencilled in and we are building the rest of the team around those guys. I think we are going to be highly competitive.”

He added: “Some clubs are putting really strong teams together. Leicester are the defending champions and Glasgow have already announced a couple of signings, they will be dangerous again.

“It’s shaping up to be a really good league and the overall strength of the teams seems to be very, very strong.”