Sheffield Tigers sign three-time world champion Nicki Pedersen

His signing has stunned the sport and completes a remarkable turnaround by the club owners who put the club up for sale in the summer.

Now they have taken Tigers up to the top division for the first time in 30-years and snapped up a triple World Champion who is also a massive box office attraction.

And Pedersen, speaking from his Danish home, insists he’s delighted to be back in British Speedway for the first time since a spell with Peterborough in 2011.

“It’s a new challenge for me and I’m really excited by it,” he said.

“Sheffield has always been a great venue and a really fast track so I’m delighted to be coming over to ride for them.

“I know the club have some exciting plans and they are going into the top league to do well, not just to make up the numbers as they say.”

Pedersen insists he isn’t coming back to the UK for a payday – he is deadly serious about doing a professional job for Sheffield.

“I’m a professional and the Sheffield public know they will get 100 per cent effort from me,” he said.

“I know the league is still tough over there and this is a new challenge for me and for the club.

“I think Sheffield deserves to be in the top division and I’m excited to be a part of it. They want to make an impact in the top league and I want to play my part in making that happen.”

Pedersen has also paid tribute to manager Simon Stead for the part he has played in getting the deal over the line.

“I have to say Simon Stead impressed me when we were talking,” he said. “I have massive respect for Simon, both for his racing career and as a person and I’m pleased to see him as manager of Sheffield.

“We get on great and he was fantastic to deal with. The owners of the club seem to be extremely professional in the way they run it and I’m looking forward to coming over and catching up with everyone.”

Stead himself added: “It’s massive news for Sheffield and massive news for British Speedway,” said Stead. “It’s a statement of intent from the owners of the club.

“We aren’t going up into the Premiership just to make up the numbers and this signing underlines that.

“It’s the biggest signing the club has ever made in my opinion and also the biggest signing British Speedway has made in recent years.

“Nicki has been the ultimate professional throughout the negotiation process. He has stuck to his word, we have spoken whenever he said we would speak and we have got where we wanted to be.

“I would also like to thank Ashley Holloway for his assistance in bringing the two parties together.

“I’m so excited I might have to get my kevlars on at press day and do some laps with him!”