Sheffield Tigers swoop for fifth new signing to complete 2021 Premiership side

Australian ace Justin Sedgmen, who raced for the club in the second half of the 2019 season, is to make a return to Owlerton in a much changed line-up.

And he’s revealed he couldn’t be happier with the move after a surprise approach from boss Simon Stead.

He said: “I’m really pleased and it’s come as a genuine surprise, a real bonus, out of the blue. I always wanted a Premiership spot and this couldn’t be any better for me.

“I was looking to go back last year but then they moved up to the Premiership and I wasn’t part of that.

“I got a text from Steady asking if I’d be interested and I replied immediately saying yes in capital letters!

“I was a little concerned about just doing one league with Glasgow because I hate hanging around watching meetings when I know I would rather be racing, so now hopefully I can have another 20-24 meetings with Sheffield.

“I know Simon has been watching results back here in Australia and I’m now knuckling down to work on my fitness and shed a few kilos for the new season over there in the UK.”

Sedgmen has been keenly tracking the progress out of lockdown for the UK and is full of praise for the vaccine rollout.

“Watching the news over here and flicking through social media, the UK is smashing the vaccine and that’s great news, it seems they are well ahead of mainland Europe,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get back racing over there, I finished the 2019 season well with Sheffield and I want to continue that and do better, I have unfinished business for sure.”

Sedgmen’s return means bad news for Ashley Morris who is a casualty of the team rebuild brought about by new restrictions in Poland limiting the leagues riders can appear in.

From last season’s side Morris, Richard Lawson, Todd Kurtz, Josh Grajczonek and Nicki Pedersen have all left the club – Troy Batchelor, James Wright, Josh Bates, Adam Ellis and Sedgmen have replaced them.