West Cumbrian speedway star Craig Cook has signed for Premier League side Peterborough.

The Panthers have turned to the Belle Vue and former Workington Comets ace to spearhead their title challenge.

Cook, who hails from Cleator Moor, left reigning champions Edinburgh Monarchs this year after leading them to record-breaking back-to-back league titles.

The move was designed to further Cook's international aspirations by riding full-time in the Elite League and in Poland for Orzeł Łódź, but issues with Belle Vue's new National Speedway Stadium left him with a quiet diary.

Peterborough promoter Ged Rathbone said: "It is a huge boost for our season and also for the entire league to have him back at this level – and is also a huge statement of intent from ourselves.

"I want to track a winning team and our paying supporters expect to see one.

"I felt it was the right time to act due to the fact we have been carrying too many riders in too many meetings so far this season."

In order to accommodate Cook's hefty 10.35 average, the club have had to release Nicklas Porsing and Michael Palm Toft and promote No8 Tom Stokes to the reserve berth on an initial four-match basis.

Subject to the deal receiving the necessary British Speedway Promoters' Association clearance, the changes will come into effect from Sunday.