Sam Bird has agreed a deal to join ART for the GP2 Asia Series as the Briton makes his step into the series for the first time.

Bird will take part in the pre-season test at Abu Dhabi next week ahead of his race debut at the same location at the end of the month.

The deal with ART will also see Bird join forces with new F3 Euroseries title-winner Jules Bianchi and F3 Masters champion Valtteri Bottas for the end of season Macau F3 Grand Prix.

“I am thrilled about this opportunity to drive for ART,” he said. “We have come close to working together several times in the past but, for a number of reasons, it never quite happened. But there is a reason for everything and perhaps our time to shine together is now. I really want to thank Frederic Vasseur for putting his trust in me and offering me this opportunity of a continued collaboration.”

Team boss Vasseur said he was pleased to have the Briton on board.

“Sam was very close to joining our team at the beginning of this season, and despite competing against each other, we have maintained an excellent relationship,” he said. “We would like to end this season with wins at Abu Dhabi and Macau and we believe that Sam will be a major asset in our attempt to reach our objective.”