Silvestre De Sousa will ride for Godolphin full-time in 2012 after signing an agreement to join Sheikh Mohammed's operation.
De Sousa was mentioned as a possible successor to Richard Hills as Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained rider, but last year's runner-up in the jockeys' championship has been snapped up by Godolphin as number two to Frankie Dettori.
As part of the agreement the 30-year-old Brazilian will relocate to Newmarket and he is looking forward to the opportunity to wear the famous blue silks.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for me to be riding for the Godolphin team and I am really looking forward to the European season ahead," he told the Godolphin website.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford added: "We now have a formal arrangement in place with Silvestre and we are delighted that he will be riding for our stable this year.
"He made a great impression when he was with Mark Johnston last season and he has enjoyed a lot of success at this year's Carnival.
"He will be a big asset to our team and we are very much looking forward to a successful association."
De Sousa, who rode his first British winner six years ago, joined the stable at the start of the Dubai World Cup Carnival although he only accepted the position on Tuesday.
"Simon offered me the job a couple of weeks ago and I had a few doubts in my mind, but I got up this morning and decided to accept it," he is quoted as saying in the Racing Post.