Liam Payne planning California move

One Direction star Liam Payne is reportedly planning to quit Britain and move to Malibu, California.

The pop singer is said to be househunting in the States in a bid to follow in the footsteps of his bandmates Harry Styles and Niall Horan, who are believed to have bought homes in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles respectively.

Payne reportedly let slip the news during an appearance at the launch party of David Beckham's new swimwear line for H&M in London on Wednesday night (14May14).

An onlooker tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "Liam caught the eye of a fashion student from ­California at the bash. He made a bee line for her and told her that he is currently looking at buying a ­beachside place in Malibu and that he plans to move there next year. He insisted the student, Shelby, and her friends join them after the party."

Payne is said to be newly single after splitting from his longtime girlfriend Sophia Smith.