RICKY Kling has signed a contract to race for Lakeside Hammers next season.

The Swedish starlet joined the Hammers in the latter stages of the 2007 campaign following the demise of fellow Elite League club Oxford and made steady progress to become a dependable and improving reserve for the club.

The 21-year-old quickly became popular with the fans who warmed to his determined attitude and he won the Young Rider of the Year' award, at the Hammers recent end of season dinner and dance.

Kling admitted that linking to the Lakeside revolution proved to be an excellent move.

"Joining the Hammers towards the end of the season was the best thing that happened to me," he said.

"I enjoyed my time with the Hammers and I am already looking forward to next year. I have been made very welcome at the club and their fantastic fans have really got behind me. I am delighted to have got things sorted out for next season."

Co-promoter and team manager Jon Cook admitted he was delighted to have captured the emerging rider's signature for 2008.

"Ricky is definitely a rider to look out for in the future and I'm pleased that he's pledged his future to the Hammers," he stated.

"In the relatively short time he has been with us he has shown his potential with some very impressive rides against far more established men.

"He has become a firm favourite with our supporters and it was great for to agree to continue his development with the Hammers."

Kling joins assets Adam Shields, Joonas Kylmakorpi.

Andreas Messing as the nucleus of the team for next season while the management team of Stuart Douglas and Cook are hoping to bring leading rider Andreas Jonsson back for a full season.

Final team plans cannot be determined until the outcome of the BSPA annual conference which is due to take place later this month.