Johnston rode for Ipswich in 2008

Somerset Rebels have unveiled veteran Australian Steve Johnston as their new number-one rider for the 2009 season.

The 37-year-old will be joined by the returning Emil Kramer, Simon Walker and fellow Australian Cory Gathercole, who rides for Elite League side Swindon.

Johnston, who rode for Ipswich Witches in 2008 and won the Elite League with Coventry two seasons ago, does not view a move to Somerset as a backward step.

"I felt that the Premier League would give me more opportunities," he said.

"The top riders were starting to drop out of the Elite League, citing they needed a less-hectic schedule, but I have always put my UK racing commitments top of my list of priorities and I felt the Elite League wasn't going to give me the racing schedule I would enjoy."

Somerset general manager David Croucher has also revealed the Rebels beat off a host of other clubs to land 16-year-old Brendan Johnson as one of their double-up reserves.

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