Marcus Ljungqvist confirmed as Team Sky sports director

Marcus Ljungqvist is the latest addition to Team Sky's management line-up.

The Swedish rider has brought his 12-year professional career to a close and will work under Scott Sunderland next season.

"I can now happily confirm that my future within professional cycling will bring me the challenge of participating in the efforts to create success for the new British super team," he said.

The Swedish champion turned down an offer from Lance Armstrong's Team Shack for the 2010 season.

"In my 12 years as a professional rider I've had the privilege to meet many leaders whose personality and professionalism I hope I am able to honour in my new profession."

Ljungqvist rode with Sunderland at Team Fakta and Team Alessio-Bianchi. The Swede also rode for Crédit Agricole before joining CSC, by which time Sunderland was a direceur sportif for Bjarne Riis's squad.

"As of January 1, I formally begin my work as one of the team's sports directors," he added. "My contact with sports managers and former team-mate Scott Sunderland and team manager Dave Brailsford leads me to believe that Team Sky has the power and ambition to set the peloton on fire in our very first season.

"On a more personal note, the possibility of working together with one of my best friends, Kurt-Asle Arvesen, former team-mate Scott, and the most promising Sweden rider, Thomas Lovkvist, made my decision even easier, as did the impressive roster of young British and international talent. And yes, I do like to drive. A lot..." he added, referring to the hours he'll likely spend behind the wheel of a team car in his new job.

Ljungqvist adds to the collection of former Team CSC employees who have joined Team Sky. Carsten Jeppesen, Riis's former operations manager, and sports director Sunderland will be joined by the rider Arvesen and also PR man Brian Nygaard.

Quick Step's newly-retired rider Steven De Jongh has also been confirmed as one of Team Sky's sports directors, with Britain's Sean Yates also set to be named.