Newly crowned World Superbike champion Sylvain Guintoli has agreed a deal to join the Pata Honda squad for next season.

The move comes just hours after the Frenchman secured his maiden world title with a double win at the weekend’s season ending round at Qatar for the factory Aprilia team.

Guintoli will be joined at the Dutch squad by Michael van der Mark who will graduate from Pata Honda’s supersport setup.

The announcement will see Northern Irishman Jonathan Rea, who finished third in the standings this year, and Leon Haslam leave the team.

Rea will join 2013 world champion Tom Sykes at the works Kawasaki outfit while Haslam is evaluating his options.

“The events of this season and especially last night are still buzzing in my head, but I’m delighted to be joining the Honda family and to be reuniting with Pata,” said Guintoli.

“The last time we worked together was a very unexpected but successful partnership. I brought Pata their first victories and we have a strong relationship.

“I’m looking forward to tackling this new challenge and I can’t wait to get going. Johnny [Rea] has obviously been strong on the Honda all season, and sometimes he’s been very strong. So I think there is definitely a big potential with the bike and I think the new rules for next year will suit it.

“For us this is good news and I can’t wait to understand how it works; but it looks like a really good package and I’m looking forward to getting the first impressions soon.”