Fan favourite Yukio Kagayama will return to the British Superbike Championship in 2010 with Worx Crescent Suzuki, the manufacturer has announced.

The Japanese rider raced for Rizla Suzuki in 2003 and 2004 before switching to the World Superbike stage in 2005, where he has been competing ever since.

Confirmed in tandem with the announcement that Sylvain Guintoli will go in the other direction as a replacement for Max Neukirchner, Kagayama is expected to provide a big draw for the series having built up a sizeable fan base in the UK.

A worthy replacement for Guintoli, Worx Crescent Suzuki team manager Jack Valentine was delighted to be welcoming back Kagayama

“To have Yukio back in the UK is great news,” he said. “He is still a class act and was incredibly popular with UK fans during his two year stint in the series last time. He is as determined as ever and will be back here with one goal in mind - to challenge for the title.

“Our decision to run two riders in 2010 is also good news for the BSB Championship, for Suzuki and for all of our partners."

Kagayama won four races during his time on the World Superbike stage, finishing a best of fifth position overall in 2005.