Edinburgh Monarchs have high hopes for newcomers Fredriksen and Thomson

Monarchs complete their line-up

William Lawson has been retained

Edinburgh Monarchs have made two surprise signings in a bid to get their Championship league speedway challenge back on track in 2020.

They have recruited Norwegian Lasse Fredriksen and rookie Australian Kye Thomson as their two second strings and hope the duo will quickly make their mark as Monarchs bid to put a disappointing 2019 campaign behind them.

Fredriksen, who is 22, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Edinburgh in what will be my first season of racing in the UK.

“I feel the time is now right for me to come across and I cannot wait until next spring comes around.”

Monarchs promoter John Campbell said: “We have high hopes for this rider and he has the potential to do very well for us.”

Queenslander Thomson, who is 21, will be also making his British racing debut, and said: “It going to be a massive year for me and I’ll try 100 per cent for Edinburgh. I’m delighted the club has given me this big chance at this stage of my career.”

Campbell added: “We considered bringing Kye into the team last season but he did not have a visa.

“He has now and we feel he too has the potential to do a good job for the club.

“He comes from a moto-cross background so he should be a fast starter.

“Kye is reckoned to be the best Australian still left in Australia and you cannot get higher praise than that.”

Monarchs completed their team with the news that William Lawson and James Sarjeant will return and fill what looks to be a strong reserve pairing.

Sarjeant commented: “I enjoyed my short spell with Edinburgh in 2019 and look forward to a full season with them this time.

“I enjoy riding Armadale and feel we can do well next season.”

Monarchs team boss Alex Harkess said:” It is hoped our new boys Lasse and Kye will keep James and William down at reserve which may be asking a lot – we’ll see what happens.

“But I believe we have got a strong looking squad to be in contention for silverware in 2020.”

Full line-up:- Sam Masters, Richie Worrall, Josh Pickering, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, James Sarjeant and Wlliam Lawson.

Monarchs have been drawn against Poole Pirates in the first round of the KO Cup and will face Birmingham or Redcar if they get through to the next round.