One Direction Release Surprise New Single

Just days after Zayn Malik announced his solo career, his former bandmates have released a surprise new single.

The song, titled Drag Me Down, premiered on iTunes and Spotify at 6.30am on Friday.

Band member Niall Horan tweeted: "Finally we get to say this! Have waited a long time but our new single Drag Me Down is out!!"

Louis Tomlinson also took to social media, writing: "We wanted you guys to have our new single first so here it is!"

"Thank you for all your constant support. Hopefully you love it , we're proud of it."

The song seems to have gone down well with fans with some calling it "absolutely perfect" and "AMAAAAAAZING" on Twitter.

There were 1.6 million tweets about the song in just five hours.

Tomlinson recently hit headlines after it was claimed he is set to become a father.

He is still to confirm it himself, but he is allegedly expecting a baby with US-based stylist Briana Jungwirth.

Malik left the band in March and tweeted a photo this week showing him signing a new record contract with RCA Records.

He has pledged to show the "real me" to fans.

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".

He quit the boyband earlier because he wants to be a "normal 22-year-old".

One Direction are currently on the American leg of their On The Road Again tour, and will return to the UK in September for their arena tour.

Their fifth album is set for release in November.