Coventry Devlins Newsagents Cycle Speedway team have completed the signing of Polish rider Konrad Pietak ahead of the new 2012 season.

The reformed Godiva city side, back in the Midland League after four years in the wilderness, have swooped to sign the 27 year-old Pietak in the face of stiff competition from rival British clubs.

The rider, from Czestochowa, in southern Poland, has several years of experience in the top Polish league. He is rated as heat leader standard and is expected to score freely for the Devlins Newsagents side in their comeback season.

He completed contract talks with Coventry last week, before signing at the weekend. Pietak will jet into the UK on Friday 23 March, before making his Coventry debut at Hearsall Common in the season opener on Sunday 25 March against Stoke.

Pietak will live in the city with fellow Polish ace Dominik Rychardski, the former World Pairs champion. The pair were childhood friends, growing up together in the same Czestochowa street, attending the same schools.

The Polish partnership of Rychardski and Pietak will give Coventry a strong spearhead. With back-up support from returning heat leader Myke Grimes, emerging Joe Kemp and veterans Dave Frith, Norman Venson and Joe McLaughlin, Coventry are confident of holding their own.

Coventry team boss Steve Bromwich said: “We are delighted to welcome Konrad to our colours, our team and our city. We are confident he will prove a prolific scorer for us.”