Liam Payne has signs solo deal

Liam Payne has signed his first solo record deal.

The former member of One Direction has signed a major new deal with Capitol Records – instead of former boss Simon Cowell’s label.

“Happy to have signed to @CapitolUK. They have an amazing history of artists, I hope I can follow in their footsteps,” Liam tweeted.

“One Direction will always be my home and family but i’m excited to find out what this chapter brings.”

“It’s not often you get the chance to sign such a talented and ambitious 22-year-old who has already conquered the world,” said Capitol Records president Nick Raphael.

Liam’s the the first member of One Direction to sign to a label outside of the Sony family, instead heading to a new home as part of the Universal Music Group.

Zayn Malik signed with Sony’s RCA last year, while Harry Styles recently clinched a huge deal with Columbia.