The singer, who quit the boy band earlier this year saying he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old", posted a picture of himself signing a contract with RCA Records.
"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 posted on Twitter.
Alicia Keys, Mark Ronson, Justin Timberlake and ASAP Rocky are among the acts signed to the label, which is part of Sony Music.
"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," Cowell wrote.
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