Team Sky sign Italian sprinter Elia Viviani for 2015

Viviani has won three European titles on the track and one world silver medal

Italian sprinter Elia Viviani has joined Team Sky for 2015.

The 25-year-old, who won 30 races in five years with Cannondale, is the sixth new rider to join the British-based team ahead of the new season.

He told Team Sky's website: "This is the perfect move and the timing is right to make this big step in my career.

"As an Italian rider my dream is to win a stage at the Giro d'Italia and that is a big target for me next season."

Since British sprinter Mark Cavendish left Team Sky at the end of 2012, the team had focused on trying to win the three Grand Tours - Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana - rather than individual stage wins.

However, Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford hinted that the signing of Viviani, who is yet to win a stage on one of the three-week races, could signal a change of direction.

"I've followed Elia's career for a long time, initially on the track and as he has progressed on the road," said Brailsford.

"We're looking to have a greater focus on sprinting next year and Elia will help us pursue that goal."

Viviani joins Britain's Andrew Fenn, Wout Poels of the Netherlands, Czech rider Leopold Konig, Norway's Lars Petter Nordhaug and Ireland's Nicolas Roche as new additions on the Sky roster.