Tuttobiciweb reports that world champion Rui Costa has signed a two-year contract with Lampre-Merida. According to theI Italian website, only the official announcement is missing.

Last year Rui Costa decided to leave Movistar to get the chance to be a team leader in the Tour de France and he chose Lampre-Merida as his new team. The Italian team could offer him a captaincy role in the biggest races but the Portuguese preferred only to sign a one-year contract, claiming that he wanted to know his new team better before making a longer commitment.

Reportedly, BMC, Cannondale and Astana have all shown interest in the world champion but according to Tuttobiciweb the speculation about his future can now be brought to an end. The Italian website claims that he signed a two-year contract with his current team yesterday and that it will only be a matter of time before the team makes an official announcement.

Costa recently made history by winning the Tour de Suisse for the third time in a row and is now finalizing his preparations for the Tour de France.