Workington Comets have made New Zealand-born racer Bradley Wilson-Dean their third signing for 2019.

Wilson-Dean spent a 28-day spell with Comets last season as cover for the injured Mason Campton, but will now be a team-mate of the Australian after signing a deal to ride for the club next year.

He comes in on a 6.00 average, having spent most of 2018 with Peterborough Panthers, helping them to finish top of the regular season table before injury ended his campaign prematurely.

Comets owner Laura Morgan said: "I think Bradley will prove to be a very popular signing with the supporters after the way they received him earlier this year.

"He clearly enjoyed being here, too, and we all made a mental note that should the opportunity arise to bring him back for next season, then we would try our best to do so.

"He is an exciting rider to watch and never gives up, which is probably one of the reasons he was so popular.

"Plus, with an average of exactly six points, he has plenty of scope to improve which is what you need in a successful team.

"Additionally, although he is a new signing for next season, he has the advantage of knowing us all and how the club operates, which was a key factor in him coming back to us and he should fit into our line-up very well.

"We saw how he interacted with his team-mates last season and he was very much a team man and I know that he was very keen to help young Kyle [Bickley] while he was here, which was nice to see."

Co-promoter and team manager Tony Jackson added: "When I telephoned Bradley last week, he was very keen to return to Derwent Park on a full-time basis after his short stint with us last season, and we were able to sort out a deal reasonably easily.

"On a personal level, I found him a pleasure to deal with last season and he has a good attitude, showing maturity beyond his years."

Wilson-Dean joins Campton and Bickley in the team so far, with 23.68 points left for the remaining four riders.

Meanwhile, the club has confirmed that children aged 15 or under will gain free admission to all meetings next season.