SWEDISH star Linus Sundstrom has been announced as Peterborough Speedway’s first confirmed signing for the 2013 season.

SWEDISH star Linus Sundstrom has been announced as Peterborough Speedway’s first confirmed signing for the 2013 season.

Sundstrom put pen to paper on his new deal in front of supporters at the club’s end-of-season party at the Parkway Club on Friday evening.

The 22-year-old’s second season with the Readypower Panthers proved to be a successful one as he increased his average from 6.90 to 7.87, and he would have taken over as No.1 for the final month of the campaign had he not missed out on the closing fixtures after being injured in a heavy crash at Belle Vue.

Panthers boss Jan Staechmann said: “Myself and the rest of the management have been highly delighted with Linus’s performances this season and we’re very pleased to make the announcement that he has signed for next year.

“I think if he’s able to achieve next year what he has done this year he will have done really well.”

Sundstrom received four awards at the party, which was also attended by fellow riders Kenneth Bjerre, Norbert Kosciuch, Olly Allen, Richard Lawson and Jason Bunyan. Ryan Sullivan was a late absentee due to his wife going into labour.

Over �700 was also raised on the evening in an auction of Panthers’ riding equipment in aid of the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund.

The full list of awards were as follows:

Barry MacIntosh Award – Linus Sundstrom

Management’s Rider of the Year – Norbert Kosciuch

Riders’ Rider of the Year – Linus Sundstrom

Most Improved Rider – Krzysztof Buczkowski

Team Rider of the Year – Linus Sundstrom

Fans’ Rider of the Year – Norbert Kosciuch

Peterborough Panthers Speedway Supporters Club Rider of the Year – Linus Sundstrom