Kawasaki have this lunchtime confirmed Alex Lowes in the factory WorldSBK team for 2020, replacing the outgoing Leon Haslam.

Lowes has been linked to the all-conquering team for several weeks after his spot at Yamaha was handed to Toprak Razgatlioglu.

“All at Kawasaki would like to send a warm welcome to Alex, who will join the elite Kawasaki Racing Team for next season in WorldSBK - partnering up with the all-time greatest Champion Jonathan Rea inside our Factory team,” said Kawsaki race chief Steve Gutteridge.

“Alex is known to be a very hard worker and shows 100 per cent commitment in every race. This attitude, combined with his talent and a clear enjoyment of his job, means that we are very confident that, along with the great staff we have inside KRT and on the Ninja ZX-10RR, this will be the start of a very exciting new era for all.”

Lowes, whose contract with Yamaha prevents him from commenting on the deal, will partner five-time world champion Jonathan Rea in the squad.