Moto2 veteran Tom Luthi's 2018 Marc VDS MotoGP deal announced

Luthi will end an 11-year-old tenure in the 250cc/Moto2 class, during which he has so far collected 10 victories and the 2016 runner-up spot.

The 30-year-old Swiss is currently in second place in this year's Moto2 standings as well, 26 points behind his future team-mate Morbidelli.

Luthi was chosen over Aprilia outcast Sam Lowes and Honda World Superbike rider Stefan Bradl, while Scott Redding was also linked with a Marc VDS return before signing for Aprilia.

"There were a number of options open to us when we were looking for a MotoGP rider for the 2018 season, but Luthi was the unanimous choice, despite him being a MotoGP rookie," said team owner Marc van der Straten.

"A former 125cc world champion, his consistency over seven seasons in Moto2 has been incredible, with a sixth place in 2013 the only time he's finished outside the top five in the championship.

"He's been a constant thorn in our side in the intermediate class and this year is no different, with his consistency again making him a serious threat to our title aspirations.

"Tom is a good fit for our team and I am both happy and proud to welcome him to the Marc VDS racing family."

Marc VDS's current riders Jack Miller and Tito Rabat are both set to ride Ducatis in 2018, moving to the Pramac and Avintia squads respectively.

Luthi is the third confirmed rookie on the 2018 MotoGP grid, joining Morbidelli and LCR Honda's Takaaki Nakagami.

Avintia Ducati is now the only team yet to reveal its 2018 riders, with a question mark remaining over who will partner Rabat at the team.

2018 MotoGP line-up so far

Yamaha: Maverick Vinales, Valentino Rossi
Tech3 Yamaha: Johann Zarco, Jonas Folger
Honda: Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa
LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow, Takaaki Nakagami
Marc VDS Honda: Franco Morbidelli, Tom Luthi
Ducati: Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo
Pramac Ducati: Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller
Aspar Ducati: Alvaro Bautista, Karel Abraham
Avintia Ducati: Tito Rabat, tba
Aprilia: Aleix Espargaro, Scott Redding
Suzuki: Andrea Iannone, Alex Rins
KTM: Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith