Loris Baz joins Forward Yamaha for 2015 MotoGP season

Baz's deal follows Aspar signing his WSBK rival Eugene Laverty earlier this week.

Aspar had also eyed Baz, but opted against hiring him as it was concerned he was too tall to be competitive on its Honda.

Forward Racing team boss Giovanni Cuzari is confident the 21-year-old Frenchman, who is currently fifth in WSBK for the factory Kawasaki team, can showcase his ability in MotoGP.

"He is a young rider who has proved to be fast in World Superbikes and we would like to give him the possibility to show his talent also in MotoGP," said Cuzari.

"I'm very happy to start this new adventure with Loris and bring this new rider in the premier class, continuing our mission of talent scout team alongside Yamaha."

Baz joins Stefan Bradl at Forward next year, with Bradl already signed to replace the team's current lead rider Aleix Espargaro when he joins the returning works Suzuki team.

Colin Edwards began the 2014 season on Forward's second bike, but struggled to adapt to it and brought his retirement forward. His replacement Alex de Angelis has yet to get close to Espargaro's performances.