IT'S A DONE DEAL: COLUMBIA'S STYLIN'

Sources confirm that Harry Styles is signing a solo label deal with Rob Stringer’s Columbia.

The label has also been One Direction’s U.S. label in tandem with the U.K.’s SYCO. Thus ends the pop heartthrob and erstwhile 1D frontman’s tenure as the hottest free agent in recent memory. Styles is managed by Jeffrey Azoff at Full Stop, with Lawrence Engel at Lee & Thompson LLP doing the deal.

The deal follows months of speculation, following 1D’s “hiatus,” over which major would snag Styles as a solo artist, with rumors about the massive bidding war erupting into U.K. tabloids.