SHEFFIELD Tigers are delighted to announce Czech Republic star Josef 'Pepe' Franc as a brand new signing for 2010.

Franc is a quality performer at Premier League level and achieved a useful average of 7.84 with his parent club Berwick Bandits last season.

He joins Ricky Ashworth, Richard Hall, Josh Auty, Hugh Skidmore and Paul Cooper in an impressive Owlerton line-up for next season which starts in March.

The club can also reveal they are in talks with a further potential new signing to complete their team at reserve.

Tigers owner Neil Machin said: "There is no doubt 'Pepe' is a quality rider, he is very stylish and I like the fact that he is a model of consistency in the Premier League.

"We have to look to enhance our performances away from home because that's where honours are won. I have no real worries about our home performances because I believe we will be strong again, but it's a question of whether we can get it right away - and Franc can help us with that."

The signing means Joel Parsons is free to talk to other clubs and Machin is already making good progress with a potential new signing to fill the final team spot.