King was adamant last month that he would not join the PDC

An angry King threatened to pull out of the Lakeside World Championship after refuting a link with the PDC circuit.

However the Norfolk player has now moved, joining Raymond van Barneveld and Jelle Klaasen in leaving the BDO.

"I'm looking to further my career and have noticed for a couple of years the strength in depth of the PDC," he said.

"I want to be a part of that and move forward with it in the coming years.

Mervyn is a quality player capable of winning major tournaments PDC chief Barry Hearn

"It's a new challenge for me. It's a frightening prospect but an exciting one at the same time."

Great Yarmouth-based King reached the semi-finals of this year's Lakeside tournament and has twice lost in the final at Frimley Green, to Tony David in 2002 and Andy Fordham two years later.

However, the 40-year-old is now expected to make his debut on the PDC Pro Tour in the Blue Square UK Open South-East Regional Final in London at the start of March.

PDC chairman Barry Hearn said: "We're delighted to welcome Mervyn into the PDC ranks. He is a quality player capable of winning major tournaments.

"He has proved by joining the PDC that he has the ambition and desire to compete against the best players in the world on the game's biggest stages."

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