Ducati have today confirmed that Jorge Lorenzo will join their MotoGP team in 2017 after signing a two-year deal with the Bologna factory.

Rumours have been circulating about a big-money switch for a couple of months and speculation heightened when Movistar Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi signed his new contract almost immediately after receiving it but Lorenzo elected to wait.

“Ducati announces that it has reached an agreement with Jorge Lorenzo thanks to which the Spanish rider will take part in the MotoGP World Championship in 2017 and 2018 aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Ducati Team,” said a statement from the team.

Yamaha announced that Lorenzo would not remain with their squad earlier this afternoon.