Forget One Direction, this is a new direction!

Zayn Malik just signed a recording contract with RCA records, and the former boybander tweeted this pic along with an explanation regarding his new career path.

"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 !!" he captioned the snapshot.

Malik has been working on new music since abruptly quitting 1D, but now he will be under an official label. Mentor Simon Cowell couldn't be happier for the British heartthrob, either!

"I believe they are the perfect label for @ZaynMalik’s solo career and I am sure whatever they release together will be special," he tweeted just moments ago.

The rest of the guys must be green with envy!