Filippo Pozzato and Southeast manager Angelo Citracca have reached a "gentlemen's agreement" to incorporate the Italian classics specialist in the Italian team for next season.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the deal between Pozzato and Citracca is a fact and only the official confirmation is missing. "There is a gentleman's agreement. The announcement will be made when we have signed," confirms Citracca.. According to the Italian sports daily, the rider will provide a personal sponsor.

Pozzato, 34, ends a three modest seasons at Lampre-Merida. He was 12th in the 2015 Paris-Roubaix and has not won since 2013. For Citracca and Luca Scinto, it will be a reunion as they worked together in 2012 at Farnese Vini.

Pozzato's palmares include Milan-San Remo (2006), Tirreno-Adriatico (2003), two stages in the Tour de France (2004 and 2007), a stage in the Giro d'Italia (2010), the 2009 Italian championshapis and classics Omloop Het Volk (2007) and E3 Harelbeke (2009). He was second in the 2012 Tour of Flanders and 2009 Paris-Roubaix.

He has been riding for Mapei (2000-2011), Fassa Bortolo (2003-2004), QuickStep (2005-2066), Liquigas (2007-2008), Katusha (2009-2011), Farnese Vini (2012) and Lampre-Merida (2013-2015).

Julen Amézqueta (Café Baqué-Campos amateur), Cristian Rodriguez (Caja Rural amateur), Mirko Trosino (elite) and Daniel Martinez (Team Colombia) are the four confirmed signings for 2016.