Former One Direction star Zayn Malik said he will reveal the "real me" to fans, as he tweeted a picture showing him signing a new record contract.

Glasgow Times:

The singer, who quit the boyband earlier this year saying he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old", is pictured smiling whilst signing documents in front of RCA Records's logo.

He tweeted: "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 !!"

In a later tweet, he simply wrote: "#REALME".

Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake and Kelly Clarkson are amongst the stars signed to the label, which is part of Sony Music Entertainment.

Simon Cowell, who was One Direction's mentor on X Factor before signing them to his label Syco, congratulated Malik on his new deal.

The music mogul tweeted: "We have been working on this for a while and I am pleased to say congratulations to Zayn Malik on signing with RCA Records.

"I believe they are the perfect label for Zayn Malik's solo career and I am sure whatever they release together will be special."