Liam Payne signs solo deal with Capitol Records U.K.

LONDON, July 22 (UPI) — One Direction singer Liam Payne is the latest of the group to sign a solo deal.

The 22-year-old British singer announced a contract with Capitol Records U.K. on Thursday, a month after bandmate Harry Styles signed his own deal with Columbia Records.

“Happy to have signed to @CapitolUK. They have an amazing history of artists, I hope I can follow in their footsteps,” Payne wrote on Twitter.

“Capital Records has an amazing history stretching right back before even Frank Sinatra and I’m really looking forward to becoming part of their story,” he added in a release.

Payne has also switched up his management team and will soon be recording his first solo album. One Direction last performed as a group in December and is presently on an indefinite hiatus.

“One Direction will always be my home and family but I’m very excited to see what this chapter brings,” Payne tweeted.

One Direction formed on The X Factor in 2010 and has since released five studio albums. The group’s latest record, Made in the A.M., was released in November and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

“Capitol Records U.K. are incredibly excited to be working with Liam,” Capitol Records U.K. president Nick Raphael said. “It’s not often you get the chance to sign such a talented and ambitious 22 year old who has already conquered the world.”