TEENAGE sensation Cooper Rushen will step up to Premiership racing with King's Lynn in the 2026 season.

The 15-year-old was a key member of the Young Stars team who raced to the National Development Trophy title in 2025, and now he's preparing for a massive move into the top-flight of British Speedway.

Rushen will celebrate his 16th birthday on March 29, making him eligible for senior racing, and having signed on with Poole in the Championship, he's also ready to test himself against the best in the business by competing in the Premiership.

He will start the season at reserve for the PSH Environmental Stars, but not in the Rising Star berth, where the selections for all teams are expected to be announced early next month.

It means the Stars are guaranteed a young and hugely exciting combination in that area of the team, and manager Rob Lyon says he has full confidence in Rushen to handle the jump to the Premiership.

Lyon said: "It is a big move, but having spoken at length with Cooper and his dad, it's a move that they are comfortable with, and so are we.

"Cooper is one of the brightest prospects this country has produced in the last few years. We know about a few who have already come through, but he's another one on that production line and we've seen enough of him at King's Lynn over the years to realise the potential that's there with him.

"I have no major issues in terms of him being able to cope with that position in the team. I feel he has the right temperament and personality, and to be honest it's quite exciting to see how far he can go!

"I'm sure riding with better riders, and against better opposition, will bring him on even quicker, and I certainly don't see it as "˜sink or swim,' I see it as a great opportunity for him."

Rushen's signing inevitably has echoes of Robert Lambert just over a decade ago, who rode for the Young Stars in 2013 before similarly stepping up to the top league when he turned 16 the following spring, going straight into the main body of the Lynn team.

Lambert went on to become No.1 for the Stars and then runner-up in the World Championship last year, and although that sort of success is still in the distance for Rushen, he says he can't wait to get 2026 started and continue an incredible journey in the sport.

Rushen said: "This is a club I've been at since I was 12 years old, and it's been a dream of mine since then, so to make it happen now is quite surreal.

"It's a club that has been a massive part of my journey up to this point, and I can't wait to get on track.

"It's going to be a big step, that's for sure, but we're going to learn from every point of it and I'm excited to get on track with my new team-mates.

"I just want to thank Buster (Keith Chapman), Dale (Allitt) and Rob for making it happen and getting me here. I can't tell you how excited I am!"

Rushen joins Max Fricke, Jan Kvech and Chris Harris as confirmed starters for the Stars next season, with more news expected before the New Year.