Nicole Scherzinger has put pen to paper on a new record deal.

The US star has signed a multi-album contract with Sony/RCA and she will unleash a new album later this year.

The Pussycat Doll will precede that record with a new single in the summer.

Scherzinger has been working with The Game and Tricky on the album, with the latter acting as an executive producer.

RCA Records President Colin Barlow commented on the news: 

"We are delighted that Nicole has joined the Sony family. She truly is one of the greatest singers in the world and we are very excited by the record she is currently making." 

The announcement meanwhile ties in with confirmation from Simon Cowell that Scherzinger will be stepping down as a judge on the UK X Factor this year.

Cowell himself is returning to the show and he has been in talks with former judge Cheryl Cole about rejoining the panel.