The South Coast outfit have been chasing Gizatullin for a number of years and they have now finally agreed a deal for the 28-year-old.

The rider has now passed a vital English test and lodged his visa application to ride in Britain.

Club officials expect the visa will come through in plenty of time for the 28-year old to take his place in the opening fixture on March 24 at Arlington against Belle Vue.

Co-promoter and team manager Trevor Geer said: "Our desire to bring Denis Gizatullin into the Eagles team goes back some years.

"We have never lost interest in him and have continued to track his progress.

"Now that he has passed the English test, we believe he will get the visa to allow him to ride in Britain.

"It has been confirmed that he will come in on a four point average and a rider of his skill and experience should be able to substantially build on that figure.

"His starting average of four means he will line up at reserve with Timo Lahti."

Quiet

Co-promoter Mike Bellerby explained why the club had remained quiet for some weeks about who would take the final place in the team.

"As most people know, we tried to bring in Gizatullin a few years ago but we were left disappointed when he could not gain a visa due to the English language requirements.

"We understand fans have wanted to know who the final rider would be but on this occasion we were determined to work quietly, out of the spotlight, to get our man.

"Gizatullin has passed the English test, his visa application has been lodged, he has agreed terms with us and I already have permission from the Russian speedway federation for him to ride in England for the Eagles. All these things needed to be in place before we felt able to make any announcement.

"Our position is now similar to that of Fulham football club who signed a Russian player on transfer deadline day. They said he would be in their team, subject to him obtaining the necessary visa.

"That happened for Fulham and the player has already made his debut for the club."