UAE Team Emirates have announced that Norwegian sprinter Alexander Kristoff will join the team from Katusha-Alpecin for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

The 30-year-old has signed a pre-contract, with the team saying “the definitive contract will be signed in the next few weeks, after some routine tests by the team’s medical staff.”

Assuming the transfer goes through, the 30-year-old’s arrival would mean further competition for fellow sprinters Ben Swift and Andrea Guardini.

The latest transfer could mean Elia Viviani will stay at Team Sky, with speculation that the Italian was to sign for the UAE team this month.

However, with the acquisition of Kristoff, Olympic champion Viviani could be surplus to requirements.

Kristoff won Milan-Sean Remo in 2014 and the Tour of Flanders in 2015.

He has over 60 victories during his 11 year professional career.