Liam Payne has insisted One Direction will always be his "family" after signing a solo record deal.

Liam Payne

Liam Payne

The 22-year-old singer has inked a contract with Capitol Records UK to release his own music and couldn't be happier to be working with the iconic label.

He said in a statement: "I'm really happy to have signed to such a prestigious label as Capitol Records UK. Capitol Records has an amazing history stretching right back before even Frank Sinatra and I'm really looking forward to becoming part of their story.

"One Direction will always be my family; I'm now excited to show what I can do as a solo artist."

Liam - who is dating Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - will be heading into the studio soon to record his debut album, and Capitol are delighted to have him on board.

Nick Raphael, president of Capitol Records UK, said: "Capitol Records UK are incredibly excited to be working with Liam.

"It's not often you get the chance to sign such a talented and ambitious 22 year old who has already conquered the world."

Since One Direction went on hiatus last year, Liam's bandmate Harry Styles is currently filming his first movie role in 'Dunkirk' and is rumoured to have agreed an £80 million solo deal with Colombia Records.

Niall Horan has launched a golf talent agency but fuelled speculation he is working on new music when he was spotted at a recording studio earlier this month, while Louis Tomlinson - who is living in the US to be close to his former lover Briana Jungwirth and their baby son Freddie - has been a guest judge on 'America's Got Talent'.

Former 1D member Zayn Malik released his debut solo record, 'Mind of Mine', in March.

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