Earlier this morning it was finally announced that Mark Cavendish has signed a contract with Team Sky Procycling and that he will join the team from the 2012 season and beyond.

The 26-year-old ‘Manx Missile' brings a world-class pedigree to Team Sky having enjoyed the most successful season of his career in 2011. In September Cavendish became road cycling world champion after securing the World Road Race title and the coveted rainbow jersey in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This followed July's Tour de France, where Cavendish confirmed his position as the world's leading sprinter by powering to five stage victories and securing the prestigious Maillot Vert, or Green Jersey, as the race's overall leading points scorer.

In addition to twenty Tour de France stage wins so far, Cavendish has secured a further ten Grand Tour stage victories in his career, as well as the overall points title at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana. In 2009 Cavendish also won the prestigious Milano-San Remo race.

Commenting on Team Sky's signing of Cavendish, Team Sky general manager Dave Brailsford told Roadcycling.com and Roadcycling.mobi "Mark is the greatest sprinter of his generation and is well on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. He is a rider of exceptional talent who has proved his pedigree at the very highest level of our sport."

"Mark is a born winner and what excites me most is the attitude he brings to all the teams he rides for. We want to inspire more fans to get into cycling and I can think of no one better to help us do that. We are delighted that the new world champion will be riding for Team Sky next season," Brailsford added.

Team captain Bradley Wiggins was quoted as saying "I think I speak for everyone in the squad when I say that we're all delighted to have Cav(endish) joining us at Team Sky. He is the best sprinter in the world and has an energy and passion for cycling that is infectious. Team Sky has enjoyed a fantastic second season and Mark's signing is another statement of our intent for next year and beyond."

British rider Geraint Thomas said "Cav joining Team Sky is fantastic news. In many ways it's like he's coming home - the team has a number of riders and support staff that he grew up with and it won't take him any time to settle in. I think everyone saw that when we helped him to victory for Great Britain at the Worlds, and we are all looking forward to helping him deliver more wins for Team Sky."

Tour de France stage winner Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen is looking forward to Cavendish joining Team Sky and apparently isn't afraid of the competition it will generate within the Tour de France team roster.

"I know from my time riding with Mark at Columbia-HTC what a special talent he is and it's great that we are back on the same team. Mark is a good guy, delivers when it matters and is another weapon in our squad for next year."

Young sprinter Ben Swift said "The young sprinters here are always looking to learn and having someone like Cav on the team is going to help us a lot. We know each other very well already, but seeing how he goes about things on a daily basis will be really good for me personally and he's always happy to give tips and advice. It's great to have him on the team."