The Bristol Pitbulls have pulled off a major coup by persuading an Australian international to join their ranks for the coming season.

Adrian Esposito, a 6ft, 24- year-old forward, has put pen to paper in time for the Pitbulls' warm-up match on August 29 against Oxford Stars at the Bristol Ice Rink.

Esposito made his name with Australian outfit Sydney Bears before sampling European action during a short stint in Italy last season with Serie B club Real Torino HC. After featuring for the Australian national team at the World Championships in Lithuania, he is now looking to further his career by picking up experience on the ice in the English leagues.

Pitbulls coach and owner Rich Hargreaves said: "I've been in talks with Adi for the last couple of months. A friend and ex-team- mate put me in touch with him after telling me Adi was moving to the area and looking to gain international experience.

"I did my research and all I got back was good things about him. I didn't plan on bringing in an import, mainly because of the paperwork and visas, the costs to sort out for him just to play. But if the right person came along then it would be worth it.

"I'm trying to build an exciting future for Ice hockey here in Bristol and someone like Adi, who is a world class player, is only going to help us do that."

Hargreaves was able to finance the deal after agreeing a sponsorship deal with a furniture store and has also finalised the rest of his squad. Tom Evans has been drafted in from the Cardiff Devils youth set up, former Swindon and Oxford Stars skater Ben Moody in defence, John Dibble as first string keeper and local player Matt Phelon.