Our third signing is …

The third bend vexillologists are being kept busy this winter.

With the emblems of Denmark and Australia already in situ they now need to source a Sveriges Flagga as the club is delighted to announce that our third confirmed signing for the 2026 Championship season is … Victor Palovaara.

The 31-year-old Swede made a stunning return to British speedway after a six-year hiatus in 2025, enjoying his third spell in Edinburgh colours having also raced for Newcastle and Glasgow whose then manager Stewart Dickson guided him through his first taste of British racing in 2014.

Victor was named in Newcastle’s in initial septet for the 2019 season only to be replaced before a wheel turned following a flurry of activity caused by the late withdrawal of Workington saw the Diamonds’ management ring the changes.

That looked as if it may have been the last we saw of the stylish racer on these shores as he concentrated on domestic racing – winning the league with Valsarna in 2022 – and Poland.

But Victor had unfinished business on these shores and jumped at the opportunity to rejoin the Monarchs on a reassessed average of 5.00 which allowed him to begin 2025 at reserve – and regularly take seven rides.

The figures from his opening nine meetings were astounding: 141 points from 61 rides, averaging 16.44 per meeting and a CMA of 9.70. There was three 20 point hauls and a match-winning return of 19 against the Bandits in the BSN Series at Armadale.

All of which saw Victor fired from reserve to number one come June and earn a call up for the Swedish team in the European Team championship which meant he missed the Shielfield BSN meeting.

In addition to leading the Monarchs into the play-offs, Victor also won a team place in the Premiership with Oxford Spires, ending the Championship season with a 7.35 average.

So your 2026 Bandits are taking shape with the spearhead of Peter Kildemand, Victor and Nick Morris confirmed. More signings to follow.