The 29-year-old joins from Pegasus Racing after the new Australian team was unable to secure a UCI Professional Continental licence.

Knees is the seventh new arrival for Team Sky's second season, joining David Appollonio, Alex Dowsett, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Rogers, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio in the 30-man squad.

Team principal Dave Brailsford said: "Christian is a super strong all-rounder who has had some terrific results, but I still don't think we have seen the best of him yet and hopefully we can help him fulfil his massive potential at Team Sky.

"His personality is one that will fit well into the team and we are delighted to have such an experienced rider on board.

"He has a lot of capabilities in a lot of areas and will increase the depth of ability we have here.

"It's exciting to have secured his services."

Knees began his pro career with Team Wiesenhof in 2004.



A string of top 10 finishes earned a Pro Tour contract with the newly-formed Team Milram in 2006 and in his first season with them he took his first pro victory with a late solo attack at the Rund um Köln and made his debut at the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, working primarily in support of the team's sprinters.

His first general classification win came in the 2008 Bayem Rundfahrt and a top five finish followed on stage nine of the Tour before his runners-up spot at the Sparkassen Giro Bochum capped an encouraging campaign.

The following season, in 2009, Knees' versatility shone through again with top 10 finishes at the GP di Lugano, Brabantse Pijl, Vuelta al Pais Vasco and Amstel Gold Race and a podium place at the Eschborn-Frankfurt City Loop and his reputation as a hugely-talented all-rounder was further bolstered.

In 2010 he took the German road title by a 50-second margin and marked his eighth grand tour appearance with two further top 10 finishes in the opening week of the Tour de France.

With Milram unable to secure a title sponsor for 2011, Knees was initially snapped up by the new Pegasus Racing project but was made available to Team Sky after they failed to secure a UCI Professional Continental licence.