Clarke was captain when Panthers won the play-offs in 2007

Nottingham Panthers coach Corey Neilson has made three key signings as he continues to build his squad for the new season.

British forward David Clarke returns after a year in Italy and there is a fresh face in Canadian Jade Galbraith.

Rumun Ndur, who spent the previous two seasons with Coventry Blaze, has also joined the club.

Neilson told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I am very excited by these signings. It really is a great day for the club."

Clarke spent four years at the National Ice Centre in his last spell with the club and lifted the play-off trophy in 2007.

Last season he iced for Alleghe in the Italian League but a broken leg restricted his appearances for the club.

Clarke said: "I love playing in Nottingham and I am so happy to be back. When I decided I wasn't going back to Italy there was only one place I wanted to sign.

"The supporters have been great to me over the years and I am looking forward to pulling on a Panthers shirt again.

"Corey is building a great squad and I am excited to be part of it."

Galbraith comes to Nottingham following two years in Germany, including a spell with Duisburg in the DEL.

The Canadian is a former team-mate of the Panthers coach after the pair played together in Pensacola for two years between 2003 and 2005.

Neilson said: "Jade is a special player. He has played at a high level in DEL and has point a game in the East Coast League.

"Jade can basically do anything I ask him to do. He is a very exciting player, probably one of the purest puck-skilled players I have ever played with."

Ndur joins the Panthers after two years with Coventry. The 32-year-old, who was born in Nigera, has played 69 games in the NHL.

Neilson added: "He's our physical presence. We have signed skilled guys and we needed someone to play hard, physical and mean."

Meanwhile, Neilson has appointed two members of coaching staff to run the bench during matches. Trainer Adam Goodridge will act as bench coach with Nottingham Under 18's coach Martyn Ethridge as his assistant.

The Panthers have also announced a tie-up with Derby University to entice players to the club who are looking to extend their education whilst playing professional ice-hockey.