TEENAGE netminder Jordan Hedley has left the Swindon Wildcats to return to boyhood club Milton Keynes Lightning.

After arriving at the Link Centre from MK last season, the 19-year-old operated as back-up goalie to star stopper Stevie Lyle, making 20 appearances in the English Premier League, as well as featuring twice for Great Britain’s bronze medal-winning side in Division 1B of the U20 World Championships in France in December.

Lyle, 36, ensured that his storied career will carry on into his 40s when he penned a three-year contract with the Wildcats in March and head coach Aaron Nell is now likely to begin a hunt for a new deputy between the pipes following Hedley’s departure.

Upon his exit, Hedley thanked Swindon and their supporters for an enjoyable 2015-16 campaign but believes that a reunion with MK is the right move for him for the upcoming season.

"I would like to thank Steve (Nell, general manager) and Aaron Nell, as well as Stevie Lyle, for the opportunity that they gave me last season in joining up with the Wildcats,” the stopper told the Wildcats’ official website.

“I’ve had a brilliant year at the club but another opportunity has come about and it’s the right choice for my career to take up that offer.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Swindon and my teammates and the fans have been amazing towards me, so I also want to thank them all for the support they’ve given me over the past year – they’ve been great.”

Coach Nell added: “I'd like to thank Jordan for his time in Swindon. He goes to MK with our best wishes.”

Lightning chief Pete Russell – a former Wildcats head coach – is chuffed to have Hedley back among his ranks.

He told MK’s official website: “Jordan is one of the top young goalies in the country and we want to help him continue to develop his game. At just 19-years-old, he is still very young and has many years ahead of him.

“He spent last season working with one of Britain’s best ever goalies in the shape of Stevie Lyle – this year he is going to work and learn even more from Przemyslaw Odrobny.

“To get to work with two goalies like Stevie and Przemyslaw is a great learning curve and can only benefit Jordan in the long term.

“To have him back here for at least the next two years is great for our organisation.”