NEW Poole Pirates recruit Zane Keleher revealed British star Tai Woffinden is one of three riders who have inspired him throughout his speedway career.

Aussie Keleher is set to compete in the UK for the first time in 2020 after securing a contract to join Pirates' septet on a four-point average.

And he says there are three riders in particular who he looks up to as he makes his way in the sport, including Scunthorpe-born Woffinden, who had a brief spell at Poole in 2007.

Asked in an interview with the Pirates website who his inspirations were, Keleher said: "I have three. They are from each generation of speedway and for all different reasons as well.

"First one is Ivan Mauger for what he did at such a young age, coming all the way from New Zealand across to the UK virtually unknown.

"Jason Crump from the latest era, Australia’s greatest ever speedway rider and of course from the modern era I’m going to say Tai Woffinden.

"Tai’s had a lot of setbacks and personal issues through his life but to see him now as a three-time world champion is huge inspiration to us younger guys."

Keleher, a former motocross rider, is set to travel over to England in the coming weeks ahead of the SGB Championship season beginning in April.

Discussing his decision to move to the UK, he said: "I guess my situation is a little bit different to some of the other young guys to come from Australia.

"For me I had to make sure I was coming for the right deal and coming to the right club.

"Although I thought I was ready last year, 2019, I think it’s great that I’ve had another year in Australia to develop and work on my skills and really come along as a rider and achieve a few more results here in Australia first.

"I think everything happens for a reason and to be coming over to be a Pirate in 2020 is a great place to start my UK speedway career."

He added: "I have had offers from Poland but I think the UK is the next step for me.

"As everyone says it’s where you do your apprenticeship and that’s what I need to take my racing to the next level.

"I think it’s going to be great learning all these new tracks in the UK and hopefully we can keep stepping up and progressing as the year goes on.

"It’s great to be on the Pirates team this year and I really can’t wait to get over there and get started with the boys."