Alberto Contador to race for Trek-Segafredo next year

Spaniard Contador, who has won all three Grand Tours in his career, had been linked with the team throughout the summer after reversing his original plan to retire at the end of the season, when his current Tinkoff team will fold.

"I am thrilled about the opportunity that is in front of me," said Contador, who finished fourth in the Vuelta a Espana earlier this month after being forced to withdraw from the Tour de France with injury.

"Trek-Segafredo is a very attractive and ambitious project that really inspires me. I had some excellent conversations with the team management, and we have a lot of goals and priorities in common. The big objective is to try and win the most important races on the calendar - first and foremost the Tour de France."

The 33-year-old Contador won the Tour in 2007 and 2009, and is also a two-time winner of the Giro d'Italia and three-time winner of the Vuelta.

Contador was stripped of his victory in the 2010 Tour after a positive test for clenbuterol which he blamed on contaminated meat.

Contador's trusted team-mate Jesus Hernandez will follow him from Tinkoff, as will sports director Steven de Jongh.

While Contador is the most high-profile signing, he will join the likes of John Degenkolb, Jarlinson Pantana and Matthias Brandle at a much-changed Trek-Segafredo next year as the team prepare for the retirement of star rider Fabian Cancellara at the end of the season.