Former Superstock title contender Matteo Baiocco will make his World Superbike debut in 2009 after agreeing terms to join the PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki team.

The 24-year-old graduates from the Superstock 1000 series, where he raced for the O Six Kawasaki team on the way to 20th in the overall standings, his best result coming with a seventh place at Donington Park.

However, despite a quiet 2008, Baiocco comes to Superbikes having been a former Superstock frontrunner, the Italian finishing third overall in 2007 and fifth in 2006, both with Yamaha.

Baiocco arrival at PSG-1 comes as the team continues its transition from the official Kawasaki partner team to a privateer outfit.

Nonetheless, PSG-1 will continue to run Kawasakis in 2009, with Baiocco, whom the team describe as 'very motivated and ready to stand out among the other emergent riders of the category', joining forces with fellow Italian Ayrton Badovini.