SCUNTHORPE Saints have completed the surprise signing of former Scorpions rider Benji Compton.

The 23-year-old was the first signing for the Scorpions team when it was formed in 2005.

Compton will now be the number one rider for the Saints for their National League campaign for the coming 2010 season.

Already placed 10th in the club's all time rider list for most meetings, with 108, Compton is now looking to re-launch his career as a Scunthorpe rider.

He rode for Weymouth Wildcats in the National League last year, averaging a respectable 7.38 as the south coast side finished runners-up to Bournemouth.

Although only 23, Compton is set to become the oldest rider in a young side and Saints' team manager Malcolm Vasey feels his relative experience will help take the pressure off his younger team-mates.

"Benji has done it all before for Scunthorpe at this level," Vasey said.

"He was a mainstay of the championship winning sides of 2006 and 2007 and is a good character to have around the team.

"Somehow or other the news of his signing leaked out, although the Is were only dotted and the Ts crossed with Sheffield on Monday when the arrangement was finalised with promoter Neil Machin.

"We had asked Sheffield about it a couple of weeks ago and had an informal agreement from them but the matter has been in abeyance for various reasons since then.

"Benji will start the campaign in the number one race jacket and if he hits the form that we know he is capable of it will be difficult for anyone to shift him."

Vasey added that he feels Compton can help fire the Saints to a higher placing than their sixth-place finish in the National League last season.

"Let's not forget he won the Conference League Riders' Championship less than 18 months ago and on his day he can beat virtually anyone anywhere at National League level," Vasey continued.

"Benji has grasped this opportunity with great enthusiasm and I feel he is coming back to us ready to work hard and re-launch himself.

"He knows what I expect and that is for him to be a major player in the National League next season."

The signing means there is one berth in the main body of the Saints' team, one reserve slot and the number eight rider to name before the squad is complete.

Vasey would not be drawn on his intentions concerning the other members of his line-up.

But he did indicate that he was still keen to see some of the potential candidates on track at the next amateur meetings on March 6 and 13.