Liam Payne signs with Republic Records

Liam Payne has signed a deal with label Republic Records.

Almost 10 months since the singer’s band One Direction went on hiatus, Liam’s manager Simon Oliveira has confirmed the 23-year-old is joining the likes of Ariana Grande and Drake at the star-studded company.

The label also revealed Liam will be releasing new music “soon”, as part of a coalition with his British representative Capitol U.K.

"With Republic’s track record of launching powerhouse talent including superstars like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Lorde, and countless others, I am more than confident we have assembled the best possible team alongside Capitol’s U.K. label to launch and shepherd Liam’s solo career,” Simon said in a statement.

Monte Lipman, Republic Record’s co-founder and chief executive officer, is feeling confident about what the former 1D bandmember can bring to the table and added he feels "honored" the former 1D star is joining the label.

“Being a member of the most successful group of the last decade, Liam has a tremendous opportunity to make an even greater impact on pop culture,” Monte said. “We’re honored by Liam’s decision to join Republic Records, and have extremely high expectations for his solo career.”

Liam’s announcement follows the release of his former bandmate Niall Horan's surprise solo track, This Town, on Capitol Records earlier this month (Oct16). It entered the charts at No.9 in the U.K. and No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Former bandmate Zayn Malik is the only 1D bandmember to release an album to date.

The RCA backed album Mind of Mine was released to critical acclaim in March (16), and the album and its lead single, Pillowtalk, reached number one in several countries, including the U.K., the U.S., Australia, Canada and New Zealand, with Malik becoming the first British male artist to simultaneously debut at number one in the U.K. and U.S. with his debut single and debut album.