One Direction star Louis Tomlinson signs solo record deal

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has signed a solo record deal.

The singer has joined Sony Music label Epic Records, which announced the signing with a tweet.

Tomlinson, 25, shared the post, adding an emoji of a smiley face wearing sunglasses.

Fellow One Direction star Harry Styles is also signed to a Sony label - Columbia Records, as is former member Zayn Malik, who is with RCA Records.

Niall Horan and Liam Payne have deals with Universal Music Group labels, Capitol and Republic, respectively.

Tomlinson will release single Back To You, which features Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals, on July 21.

He made his solo debut last year on the Steve Aoki track Just Hold On.