Team Sky has confirmed the signing of Nicolas Roche for the 2015 season.

With 13 Grand Tour appearances to the Irish rider's name, the team says he adds experience in abundance and will significantly add to the their firepower on the climbs.

The son of 1987 Tour de France champion Stephen Roche moves from Team Saxo-Tinkhoff where he raced alongside Alberto Contador.

In 2013 he finished an impressive fifth place at the Vuelta a Espana.

This year he claimed victory in the Route du Sud and claimed a fifth place finish in the 2014 Tour of Britain.

"It’s a great honour to sign for Team Sky and I have the opportunity to ride with some of the best riders in the world. I feel that I’m still developing as a rider so now’s the perfect time to join Team Sky and to continue my upwards path. I’m confident that under the guidance of Sir Dave Brailsford and the team, I’ll continue to improve," said Roche.

Team Sky has produced two of the last three Tour de France winners. Bradley Wiggins won in 2012, with his team-mate and rival Chris Froome winning the following year.

The team also includes one Irish cyclist, Philip Deignan, who signed on for the 2014 season.