RICKY Kling is keen to finally start laying some firm foundations with Poole after spending the winter on a building site.

The 24-year-old will this season don the skull and crossbones race jacket for the first time since becoming a Pirates asset in 2009.

Kling, the former Swedish under-21 champion, was one of the club’s first new additions during a team rebuilding programme.

And while some of his team-mates spent the off-season recharging their batteries, Kling was supplementing his income as a labourer.

He told the Daily Echo: “I was hired by a firm which is run by my friend’s father. He takes me on when he gets busy and usually makes sure I have got a job when the season finishes.

“I am trying to race speedway professionally but the money is not enough to have a four-month break. Also, it is good to have something to do in the winter and it helps keep your brain active. We built a house and did a few other small jobs.”

Kling, who rode previously with Oxford, Lakeside, Eastbourne and Belle Vue in England, is one of three Swedes in the Poole Coastal Aluminum squad.

He joins Ludvig Lindgren, brother of Grand Prix star Freddie Lindgren, and Dennis Andersson who returns after enjoying a fruitful first campaign at Wimborne Road when he was voted newcomer of the year.

Kling said: “Ludvig is one of the biggest talents to come through in Sweden in the past couple of years. He is one of my good friends and it makes it more fun having a friend to ride with.

“Dennis is arguably the biggest prospect coming through. He is a really good rider and has the brain to go with it. It is inspiring to ride with a guy like him.

“It is also nice to have other guys to talk Swedish with. It doesn’t make much difference during a meeting but, if you are having a tough time, maybe it is easier to explain things to them and it just feels a bit more like home.”

Previewing the season at the club’s annual press and practice day yesterday, Kling said: “You always want to be part of a winning team and it is inspiring to ride for a club which is always challenging.

“For me, there are a lot of positive vibes. I have ridden all the small tracks and this one suits me more. I want to ride a track where you have to race faster to go faster. On other tracks, maybe you have to hold back to go faster. Everything is looking good here.”