Kris Meeke on Wednesday signed a new three-year contract with Citroen to race in the World Rally Championship, the French team announced.

Meeke, 36, was left without a drive for the 2016 season after Citroen last month announced it would not participate in next year’s championship.

But the French manufacturer has said it will still take part in a handful of rallies next year before making a full-time return to the sport with a new car in 2017.

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“I’m very excited about everything that lies ahead in the next few months,” said Meeke, whose initial priority will be to work on the development of the new car, in a statement released by Citroen Racing.

“Various options were available to me to pursue my career, but I chose to stay with Citroen Racing to reap the rewards of the work done over the last two years or more.

“I began my career in motorsport as a design engineer so although I can’t wait to get into the car, I’ll be following every stage of the design and assembly of the first car with great interest,” added the Northern Irishman, who won his first WRC race in Argentina earlier this year.

Team principal Yves Matton said keeping Meeke on board was particularly important, explaining: “In terms of our new programme, above all else we wanted an experienced, top-level driver, with sound technical knowledge.

“Kris was undoubtedly the best choice and we are delighted that he has decided to stay with us.”

Meeke will still compete in “several rounds” of the WRC next season with more details expected to be revealed shortly.