Rea - the youngest rider in BSB history to secure a pole position, podium and race win - will initially join Ten Kate's World Supersport outfit, which has won the last six titles in a row, before stepping up to the premier WSBK class.
"We are delighted to have secured Jonathan's services for the 2008 World Supersport campaign with Hannspree and Honda," said team manager Ronald ten Kate. "We have been contesting the championship for 10 years now and we are always on the lookout for fresh new talent. Jonathan has everything we want in a rider - he is young, highly motivated and has the ability to go far in the sport. He is already familiar with Honda and I know that he is eager to race on the CBR600RR. I am sure he will make the transition to the world stage very well and we are looking forward to bringing out the best in him over the next three years. A special thanks must go to his current HM Plant Honda team and to Honda UK, not only for producing such a talented riders but also for their co-operation in helping him make the transition to the world stage."
Many have expressed surprise that Rea - who has secured five BSB race wins this season and is currently second in the championship - will step back down to the Supersport class for his world championship debut, but the 20-year-old's only regret is leaving his BSB team.
"I am really excited to be moving into the World Supersport Championship with Hannspree Ten Kate Honda," said Rea. "It's very important for me to be learning the world circuits now and I'm sure it will be a great experience that I can use in the years to come. I am saddened to be leaving my old team in British Superbike, they have worked incredibly hard over the past four years and they have been an awesome team. However, I have to look forward and I cannot wait to get to work with Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. It's an ideal situation for me to be progressing with Honda - in fact it was my number one priority. I hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship."
Rea turned down a Ducati Xerox WSBK ride to sign for Ten Kate.
The Ulsterman's current team-mate, reigning BSB champion
Ryuichi Kiyonari, is also tipped to join Ten Kate for 2008 - although the Japanese, on target for a second successive BSB crown, is expected to race in the WSBK team.
