NEWPORT'S Polish rider Michal Rajkowski is joining Elite League club Belle Vue on a full transfer.

Rajkowski showed plenty of ability during his first season of British speedway, which saw him achieve an average of 6.19, and his ambition was to move up into the top flight.

His converted Elite League average is 3.10 which ties in well with the Aces plans, given that they have used up a large amount of their 38.85 points allocation on their top three riders of Jason Crump, Charlie Gjedde and Joe Screen, and they have agreed an undisclosed fee with Wasps promoter Tim Stone.

Belle Vue promoter David Gordon said: "Rajkowski has been a long-term target. We are delighted to be able to announce his signature at last. We have got very high hopes of him."

Stone said: "Michal had a successful season with us, riding in a difficult position in the team and visiting all of the Premier League venues for the first time.

"He is now keen to make the jump from Newport into the Elite League, where he had always seen his eventual destination, and he will be going to Belle Vue on a full transfer.

"He goes with our best wishes, and what impressed us was his willingness to stay and live over here and ride for a Sunday track and therefore miss out on Polish fixtures, which is often a problem with riders from that country.

"That commitment was a major plus for us last season, and ensured that we had a good working relationship between rider and club throughout the year.

"But we always knew where his ambitions lay, and he has a chance to achieve them at Belle Vue riding alongside the likes of Jason Crump. We wish him every success, and he is always welcome back at Newport."

Rajkowski first sprung to the attention of British promoters when he rode in the New Year Classic at the Hayley Stadium last January, and his performance led to a team place with the Wasps - and two other Poles will be looking to make a similar impact on Sunday.

Marek Mroz and Marcin Kozdras will both be racing in this year's event (1pm) and either or both could come into the Newport team-building equation should they impress.

Stone has been forced intoa furtherlate change to the line-up after Lee Complin pulled out due to a foot injury sustained at Glasgow in October which has not healed as quickly as expected.

Eastbourne's teenage hotshot Lewis Bridger has agreed to step in and will automatically become one of the favourites for the event.