MIKKO Skinnari has left the Invicta Dynamos and joined new English National Premier league outfit Milton Keynes Lightning. With the rule change that means clubs can only have four imports on their rosters and the arrival of Sami Mykkanen at the Ice Bowl, Skinnari decided to secure his future elsewhere.

The flying Finn said: “I have had a very happy time with the club, but was looking for a change. I would like to thank the fans and management for their support over the last four years and look forward to seeing them when we play each other."

Ironically Skinnari will be in Gillingham for the Mos’ first game of the season because it's against Milton Keynes. The former crowd favourite, who topped the 1999/2000 English National Premier League points scoring chart for the Dynamos, is the club's second highest goal-scorer of all time with 115 goals in 143 games. He signed for the Mos midway through the 1998/1999 season and quickly became one of the club’s most popular players.

Skinnari is the first of last season's double-winning squad to leave the club. Captain Phil Chard, forward Elliott Andrews, number one netminder Matt Van Der Velden and the free-scoring Matt Beveridge were the first to re-sign and pledge their loyalty to the Mos for another season.

This week the club’s British player of the year Jake French and young players Paul Hume and Kevin Parrish had their futures confirmed and names added to the roster and Michael Wales joined his former Solihull Barons team-mate Mykkanen in becoming the Dynamos second signing Talks are still ongoing with other influential players who fans will hope to see back in Dynamos colours.

Director Jackie Mason said: “We are extremely pleased that Jake has decided to return as he is very strong and consistent in defence. And it goes without saying that we are sad to see Mikko go. He has been brilliant over the time he has been here, has given 110 per cent every game and we wish him well.”

* This season players and fans are looking forward to a bigger, more competitive ENPL where 12 teams will be contesting for honours. This means the Mos will play 47 regular season matches and host 24 home matches, six of these games in the new League Shield competition in a tough group against Swindon Lynx, Milton Keynes Lightning, Slough Jets and Romford Raiders.

The end of season league play-offs will feature the top eight teams, split into two groups of four, and will start the weekend of March 15-16, with the final scheduled for the weekend of April 5-6.