Israeli startup Nation continues to build its Tour de France-winning team around Chris Froome, announcing the signing of Carl Fredrik Hagen, its first new addition since the British rider's move was announced last month. The 28-year-old Norwegian will move on from his home base in Lot Soudal and join the Israeli team at the start of the 2021 season.

As reported by TV2 (opens in new tab), the deal with Hagen will be announced at the opening of the August 1 cycling transfer window.

A relative latecomer to the WorldTour, Hagen joined Lotto Soudal at the start of the 2019 season at the age of 27 after a number of impressive performances, including a queen stage victory at the 2017 Tour Alsace and an overall win at the 2018 Tour du Jura.

He was a member of the team for the first time in his career.

He quickly confirmed his potential with a third-place stage finish at the Criterium du Dauphiné, followed by a late-season breakthrough with an eighth-place GC finish at the Vuelta a España and seventh at the GREE Tour of Guangxi. With his success at La Vuelta, Hagen will lead Lotto Soudal's GC Hope at the Giro d'Italia, which starts on October 3.

The news comes as Israeli startup Nation begins building a team around seven-time Grand Tour winner Froome. The Israeli team, which is rumored to be in the running for Daryl Impey, has also extended contracts with James Piccoli, Matthias Brandl, Rick Zabel, and Alex Catalford.

Hagen will undoubtedly be an important piece of the puzzle for Froome's 2021 Tour de France. An all-around all-rounder, Hagen's consistency and ability in the mountains will be invaluable to Froome and the emerging Israeli nation as they seek their fifth yellow jersey.