NEWCASTLE Diamonds have confirmed a fifth signing in their winter preparations for the 2012 speedway season – by renewing their contract for a second term with Claes Nedermark.

The 21-year-old Dane made his UK debut for the Tynesiders last season and impressed while at Byker.

The Frederickshavn-born youngster first came to British promoters’ notice at the back end of the 2010 season, racing for the touring side Team Viking and scoring 9+1 at Redcar.

He then starred the next night at Plymouth, scoring a fine 12+1 from five rides. Initially he looked set to join the Devils in the, but for a miscalculation by his potential management regarding his 7.00 assessed average which precluded his signing for their club.

Good fortune shone on the Dane when Newcastle’s Lubos Tomicek suffered a downturn in form, the Czech leaving Brough Park allowing the Diamonds to sign Nedermark as a direct replacement.

Team manager and co-promoter George English said: “Claes had a good run with us last season and showed the potential he has stored within him with particularly excellent performances, although he was hindered with a nasty knee injury in July.

“In 2012 we fully expect him to improve his consistency and hammer home more of those highly memorable shows and far fewer of the ones which held his seasons’ average to only 5.84.

“He has the ability to become one of our top performers come October next season, and is an excellent signing to gel our evolving team together.”

Nedermark joins fellow 2011 Diamonds Mark Lemon, Stuart Robson and Richie Worrall on the 2012 roster as well as new-boy and twin of Richie Steve Worrall in a team which is already receiving envious side-glances from rival promotions in the Premier League.

Newcastle still have two spaces to fill in their side for the new season.