TANER Adu has left Essex Pirates to join the Plymouth Raiders.

Adu top scored for the Southend based side last season, bagging 588 points, and has been called up to the England team for the first time this weekend.

But he has now opted to depart and Raiders coach Gavin Love is delighted to have secured his signature.

“Taner is a great pick-up for us,” said Love.

“A number of BBL teams offered Taner a contract, but I think our reputation here, together with the opportunities that he will get playing for the Raiders helped swing the balance in our favour.

“Taner spoke to former Raiders players Haggai Hundert and Dean Williams (both team-mates at Pirates) and they were able to tell him a lot about the club and the area.”

Adu’s departure will leave a huge hole for Pirates ahead of their second season in the BBL.

And Love is confident Adu will continue to impress for the Raiders.

“He’ll give us a really solid option at point guard,” added Love.

“He can shoot the ball very well. He led Essex in scoring and had some massive games against other teams last year — 35 against Cheshire, 25 against us, and 11 other games where he scored 20 or more.

“He does the small things very well, he gets the ball to the right people — he had 16 assists against Guildford last year — he’s a tough defender and I’m overjoyed that he’s chosen to come to Plymouth and play for us.”

Adu will face Scotland and Lithuania in Worcester this weekend with the England team.

Former Pirates team-mate Colin Sing is also in the England squad.