LAGUTA SET FOR STARS

KING’S Lynn have announced the sensational signing of 2021 World Champion Artem Laguta.

The Stars are set to track Laguta in time for Thursday’s Sports Insure Premiership clash with Sheffield at the Adrian Flux Arena, subject to written international clearance, as he races in the UK league for the first time.

Krzysztof Kasprzak has been released by the Norfolk club with Kye Thomson also added to the Stars’ ranks in place of Josh Pickering, who has had injury problems – although the club insist he remains in their plans for this year.

Manager Alex Brady said: “Artem is the biggest signing in our modern history, and I’m delighted to be able to bring him over.

“He’s a rider I’ve tracked for a long time, and I think every promoter and manager in the country would say they’d love to have him in their team.

“To bring him to King’s Lynn is massive, and I have to give a big thank you to Nigel Leahy for helping with the visa, Tai Woffinden for making the introduction, and the backing of the rest of the promotion to help make it happen, as well as Plymouth promoter Mark Phillips.

“Kye is actually somebody who we nearly made a move for last season, but he didn’t have the correct visa at the time, so this has been almost a year in the making.

“We did look at various options from abroad but we felt with Kye being based in the UK and having all his equipment here, this was the right move and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team.

“It’s not a case of closing the door on Josh – he’s our captain for a reason, he’s a massive leader in the pits, and once he’s ready to go and back in form, he’ll be back in our team.”