Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki has signed MX2 World Championship contender Arnaud Tonus for the 2015/2016 American supercross and motocross seasons.

Tonus will turn 23 this month, which rules him out of the MX2 series in Europe following this season, and it’s now been confirmed he will continue his 250 campaign in the US rather than step up to MX1 in the world championship.

“I signed a two-year contract with Kawasaki Pro Circuit and I’m really happy to enter a new experience in such a prestigious team,” Tonus said. “It was a dream for me to go racing one day in the USA. I have not so much experience in supercross, but I’m ready to go and work hard to get some good results there.

“We had a long reflection with my family and my manager. Of course I had several good opportunities to stay in Europe, but due to my injuries in the last two seasons I’ve not achieved all my goals on a 250. Mitch [Payton] wanted me in his team and that’s a great honour.

“I’m also pleased to continue our great relationship with Monster Energy and Kawasaki; both have been nice with me when I had problems, so it’s perfect to stay with both companies.

“We’ll move with my fiancée in the US after the Motocross of Nations, we need to be organised as soon as possible to start working early. I know that there’s a lot of work, but I’m ready and excited by this new challenge.”

For 2015 team CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy has already secured a deal with Dylan Ferrandis and Thomas Covington, who will both enter their second season with the team.