Former X Factor contestants One Direction have signed a U.S. record deal with Columbia, it has been reported.

Capital FM say that the popular quintet have penned a deal with the record label, which also looks after Adele in the US, as they look to break beyond their native UK.

The news comes soon after the group announced plans to tour the U.S. in 2012, with a number of dates in February and March scheduled - including a show at New York's famed Radio City Music Hall.

Back home meanwhile, One Direction recently lost out on a No. 1 single with their track 'Gotta Be You' as Rihanna and Flo Rida resigned the youngsters to No. 3.