Rizla Suzuki's Tom Sykes has signed for the Santander Yamaha World Superbike team. Sykes has done a one-year deal with the team and has an option for 2010.
This confirms that Haga is on his way to Xerox Ducati and that Troy Corser will probably remain at Yamaha as Sykes' wage bill will be nowhere near that of Haga's.
Yamaha Motor Italia team boss Massimo Meregalli said: “Tom Sykes is an excellent signing for the team, he is the most interesting young rider in circulation in the racing world this year. I’ve had time to appreciate his riding qualities during the season and Brands Hatch was the confirmation of his talent for me.
"His brilliant result at Donington strengthened our conviction. We know that there will be much work next season because the new YZF-R1 arrives and it will have to learn the tracks. We have a lot of faith in being able to obtain good results quickly and the presence of a young person with a lot of ambition will give new motivation to the team.”