Zayn Malik announces solo record deal with RCA after quitting One Direction

Zayn Malik has officially signed a solo record deal with RCA.

The singer confirmed the news on Twitter, which comes four months after he quit One Direction.

pic.twitter.com/8AnmCLdU8Z

— zaynmalik (@zaynmalik) July 29, 2015

Zayn also offered an explanation as to why he left the group, posting: "I guess I never explained why I left , it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!".

The star previously said he left the band to be "a normal 22 year-old".

Other acts on RCA's roster include Mark Ronson, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Sia and Usher.

Simon Cowell has already congratulated Zayn on the news, insisting RCA is the "perfect" label for him.

I believe they are the perfect label for @ZaynMalik’s solo career and I am sure whatever they release together will be special.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) July 29, 2015

Frank Ocean's producer Malay recently revealed that he had been working with the singer after posting a picture of Zayn with his daughter online.

Zayn had previously been working on solo material with Naughty Boy, though the pair have since had a very public falling out, with Zayn calling the La La La producer a "fat joke".