THE BASINGSTOKE Bison have beaten off stiff competition from their English Premier League rivals to land a super signing in top British forward Shaun Thompson.

Thompson will give the Herd even more firepower and they have the foundations of a very strong offensive unit.

The capture of Thompson, along with the re-signings of Ciaran Long and Joe Greener, gives the Herd three of last season’s top British forwards.

The 27-year-old has scored more than 20 goals in each of his last three EPL seasons with the Manchester Phoenix and the Bracknell Bees.

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard is delighted to have signed Thompson and said: “There was a lot of interest in Shaun, so it is great he has signed for the Bison. He is a really good fit for the team, as he has a great work ethic and plays well in all three zones.”

Slough-born Thompson started his senior career at Basingstoke in 2003 as a teenager and last played for the Bison in 2010.

Thompson said: “Basingstoke has a special place in my heart as it is where my senior career started, so it is great to be back. I am really looking forward to helping the team win some trophies next season.”

Thompson joins the Bison from the Manchester Phoenix, where he netted 20 goals in a points total of 47 last season.

Previous to this, he spent three years in Bracknell, where he was also their top British forward.

The 27-year-old from Slough learnt his hockey at his home rink, before Bison player/coach Steve Moria spotted his potential and he joined the Bison in the Elite League.

A former Great Britain junior international, he was also the Young British Player of the Year in 2007, after he helped the Bees to the English Premier League title and play-off double.

He returned to the Bison for their final year in the Elite League, where he finished as the fourth highest goal scorer on the team.

He then remained in the Elite League with Hull, but finished the year back at the Herd in their first year in the EPL.

He then had a year at Slough and three in Bracknell, before last year suiting up for the Manchester Phoenix.

Speaking about his first new addition to the Herd, Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard said: “He is another player who will score you 20 goals and he has a very good all-round game. He can win you a vital draw and kill penalties, as well as scoring you goals.”

Thompson, who has already made 178 league appearances for Basingstoke, is really pleased to be back and said: “I really think my style of play will fit in nicely with the way the Bison play. I have played with Doug, Joe Greener and Kurt Reynolds, so I will settle in really quickly and I can’t wait to get started.”

Thompson's arrival followed departure of utility player Michael Wales and young British defenceman Brandan Baird.

Bison boss Sheppard said: “I thank both of them for their time at the Bison and Muzzy (Michael Wales) certainly added something to our line-up when he joined.

“I was not able to use Brandan as much as I would have liked last season and at this stage of his career he needs to have regular ice time.”

Utility player Wales played a lot of last season in defence and is taking up a new opportunity away from the club.

The 32-year-old arrived in Basingstoke in November 2013 from the Slough Jets and was part of the Herd’s double-winning team.

He was a leader both on and off the ice, making him a firm fan favourite wherever he played.

British defenceman Brendan Baird is leaving the Herd after one season.

The 19-year-old from Southampton missed a large chunk of last season due to injury and so never really got to show what he could do.