SHEFFIELD Tigers, South Yorkshire's Premier League Speedway team, are delighted to confirm a new deal to keep Premier League Riders' Champion Ricky Ashworth at the club for next season.

The Sheffield Window Centre-backed side now have two riders on their 2010 rosta with Ashworth joining Australian youngster Hugh Skidmore.

Ashworth is expected to continue as club captain for a second successive season - and it means he remains a one-club Premier League man having raced only for Sheffield in his career.

"I'm really happy to have done a deal this early and I can start planning for 2010," he said. "I'm excited about next season already and there was nowehere else I wanted to go but Sheffield.

"I also hope to get some Elite League bookings, when the club promoters meet at their AGM it would be nice if the rules allowed me to double-up.

"Naturally winning the Premier League Riders' title was the highlight of my career in September - but now I want to be captain of a Sheffield team which wins something. Bring on next year!"