Liam Payne has signed a major record contract with Capitol Records UK.
The move to a Universal label makes Payne - who will soon be going into the studio to work on his debut solo album - the first One Direction star to sign a deal away from Sony. Zayn, who left One Direction before the group went on hiatus, released his debut solo album via RCA, while Harry Styles signed to Columbia (which released One Direction's albums in the US) last month.
Payne has also assembled a brand new management team around him, with more details to be announced in due course.
Nick Raphael, president, 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."
Payne commented: "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."
FOLLOW 
