Poole Coastal Aluminium Pirates have today named Polish rider Robert Miskowiak as their second confirmed starter for 2013

The 29-year old finally joins the Pirates - eight years after promoter Matt Ford first tried to sign him. In 2004, the Dorset club were beaten in their quest when he was lured by Ipswich.

Announcing the arrival of the Pole, a delighted Ford revealed: “This is a key capture for us. Robert has always shown a liking for the Wimborne Road track and to have him on board was pivotal in our plans.

“Poole has a wonderful reputation with Polish riders and I am confident Robert will add his name to the illustrious list. This past season we were served brilliantly by Adrian Medzienski and then Krzysztof Kasprzak.

“Robert joins us on a 5.81 average and I think he has a lot to offer us at that figure. Last season in Poland he was No 1 in the First Division ahead of riders like Antonio Lindback, Davey Watt, Peter Ljung, Bjarne Pedersen and Scott Nicholls.

“I know he is delighted to join and he will fit the bill perfectly – an experienced rider who knows all the Elite League tracks with the potential to improve his average. I know our fans will warm to him quickly in the blue and white.

“It’s a fact that this signing comes eight years after I first tried to bring him to the club. At that time things didn’t work out for us, he went on to win the World Under-21 title and then began his British career with Ipswich the following season.

“I think it would be fair to say he hasn’t quite fulfilled his potential on the track here in the UK.

“I hope we can bring out the best in Robert at Wimborne Road in 2013.”

Miskowiak, who had a spell in the Elite league last season with Wolverhampton, joins Brit Kyle Howarth, 18, who was the first rider to put pen to paper for the club last week.