PLYMOUTH Devils have signed American World Championship rider Ryan Fisher, the city club have announced.

Fisher, 28, formally agreed a deal with the Premier League newbies yesterday by e-mail.

Devils' boss Mike Bowden (left) started negotiations with Fisher after a bid to land ex Sheffield Tigers' rider Ricky Ashworth fell apart.

The deal was brokered by Steve Evans, a member of the American Dream Team, who have ridden against the Devils in pre-season for the past few years.

Fisher is owned by Elite League Coventry, whose boss, Colin Pratt, agreed to Fisher's move to Plymouth.

Bowden said he was delighted to land the American at such short notice.

"I am really pleased," he said. "I'm e-mailing Ryan's contract to him today and hopefully everything will all go smoothly.

"We needed to get this sorted out as quickly as possible and get the gap in our line-up sorted.

"It got urgent because there are only six weeks to go until the start of the season."

DEVILS BOSS BEMUSED BY ASHWORTH – PAGE 49