DAKOTA North says a Swindon Robins return was always his number one choice after leaving Elite League champions Poole Pirates.

Swindon team boss Alun Rossiter has opted to bring back the Australian who rode for him in 2014, with North’s arrival at the Abbey Stadium completing the Robins roster for next season.

North helped the Pirates claim a third straight title this year but the Wimborne Road outfit will deploy a much-changed line-up next season, with the Aussie one of four riders moving on.

The 24-year-old was not short of prospective suitors for the coming campaign but once Rossiter sounded him out, North only had eyes for Swindon.

“In the last few weeks I have been talking to clubs. I thought I might be back at Poole but you never know with that club,” said North.

“After winning the title last year I thought I would be there again but a month or so after the season Matt Ford (Poole promoter) called me up and said he already had his team and unfortunately they couldn’t fit me in.

“When that happened I didn’t really expect to be back here at Swindon but if I wasn’t going to race at Poole this is where I would want to be.

“I was hoping to come back to Swindon but I was actually speaking to a few other clubs so when I got the call from Rosco I was really pleased to be able to sign for them again.

“I had enjoyed my season when I was there before and had fun when I went back as a guest a few times last year, so when the call came in I thought why not.”

North’s arrival wraps up a strong looking Robins team, which will be headed up by Jason Doyle at number one.

Doyle and North are two of five Aussies on the Swindon roster, alongside Nick Morris, Josh Grajczonek and Justin Sedgman. English duo Stefan Nielsen and Charles Wright complete the septet.

North has high hopes for what the team can achieve next year and is looking forward to thrilling the Abbey crowds again – at both old and new stadiums.

“I like everyone there, Rosco and the Russell brothers are good guys and they’ve got some good riders there too. It should be a good year,” added North.

“I don’t mind the track there, although for some reason I didn’t go too well when Poole were there last season. I’m not too sure why but hopefully I can do better next season.

“I know the track is changing so it will be exciting to see the new one and being in the first team to ride there will be pretty awesome.”