Fermin Aldeguer will graduate to the MotoGP World Championship in 2025 and 2026 with Ducati Corse after the Italian manufacturer confirmed him as its second signing for next season.

The Spaniard - only 18-years old - is at the start of his third full season in the intermediate category but has already had his future assured ahead of this season's second MotoGP/Moto2 event this weekend, the Portuguese MotoGP at Portimao.

Though has made no mention of where Aldeguer will fit into its expansive MotoGP line-up, it is widely expected he will land at Pramac Racing for the next two seasons.

Talk of Ducati's interest in Aldeguer has simmered throughout the winter period, though his deal is a '2+2 contract' (two confirmed years with the option of a two-year extension) rather than the three years originally speculated.

Regardless, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna makes it clear he wants to give the teenager time to get up to speed and grow in MotoGP with the manufacturer.

"I would like to welcome Fermín to the Ducati family warmly, and we can't wait to see him riding our Desmosedici GP.

"I am thrilled with this agreement because Aldeguer is one of the strongest riders in the new generation of MotoGP.

"Over the last few years, we have followed his evolution; during the last season, he showed incredible speed.

"He is a very young guy with the potential and characteristics to do well, and we will give him all the technical support to help him grow."

Aldeguer's profile surged during the second-half of the 2023 Moto2 season after clinching five wins after the summer break, including four-in-a-row to round off the year aboard the Speed Up Racing Boscoscuro.

He remains with the Italian team for 2024 and is considered a strong favourite for this year's Moto2 title.