PIRATES cult hero Magnus Zetterstrom last night revealed he had turned down approaches from Birmingham and Edinburgh before agreeing to link up with his former club again.

Zorro, as the Swedish rider is known, has re-signed for Poole and will make his comeback for the Dorset club at Eastbourne on Monday.

Castle Cover Pirates have also brought in another one of their former riders, Daniel Davidsson, to complete their new-look team.

They replace struggling Karol Zabik and Zbigniew Suchecki, who are both injured, for the rest of the season.

Confirmation of the changes came within minutes of Pirates' stunning 57-35 Elite League triumph at Peterborough last night.

Zetterstrom, speaking exclusively to the Echo from his Swedish home last night, said: "It feels great because Poole have always been in my heart.

"It's a bit of a shock at the same time because I'd already made my mind up to miss England this year after Somerset couldn't fit me in.

"I sold all my gear so it's a bit of a rush in two days to get everything sorted for Monday.

"I'll be running around to fix things up and will ride the first two meetings on whatever equipment I can get together with Poole loaning me a bike.

"In fact, I wasn't going to come to England again, but then this came along and I'm happy to do it.

"I've had offers from Premier League clubs Birmingham and Edinburgh, but I turned them down.

"But when Poole came along it felt great and the contract we have done feels right for me.

"I still know I can do a good job for them in the Elite League.

"It will be a bit of a challenge to get everything sorted. It'll take two weeks to get things as professional as I want."

Zetterstrom, who last rode for Poole in 2004, was heavily fined by the BSPA and banned for the final month of last season after missing the PLRC so he could ride in a Polish Division One play-off meeting.

But he said: "I don't envisage any problems with clashes with Polish League fixtures this time.

"That's the good thing with the Elite League, they don't ride on Sundays so that won't be a problem.

"I'm so happy for W & S Recycling who have helped me through the winter and carried on as my main sponsor. It's great to be back in Poole where they are based.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Poole's fans again. Hopefully you will stand by me through my ups and downs.

"Hopefully we'll have a good season together."