LONDON (AP) — Tuluyan nang hihiwalay si Zayn Malik sa chart-topping boy band na One Direction at sinabing “to be a normal 22-year-old.”

Sa isang announcement na ikinadurog ng puso ng mga kabataan at pinag-usapan sa social media, sinabi ng kabanda ni Malik na sila ay nalulungkot sa kanyang pag-alis “but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future.”

Ayon kay Malik, na hindi sumama sa world tour ng banda, sa isang statement, ang kanyang panahon na inilaan sa One Direction “has been more than I could ever have imagined.”

“But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band,” pahayag niya. “I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.

“I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” paliwanag ni Malik.

Kahit na may mga kumakalat na usap-usapan na hindi na masaya si Malik sa banda, gumawa ang sorpresa ang mga tagahanga para sa kanya.

“I’m a bit shocked as to why he’s leaving,” pahayag ni Sophia Staite, 19.

“It seems strange. It seems they could have gone on for much, much longer, they do have the best fan base of any group or singer. It’s quite sad because they have always been quite a close band.”

Samantala tuloy pa rin ang One Direction, na kasalukuyang nasa world tour, sa paggawa ng kanilang bagong album ngayong taon.

Matatandaang hindi sumama si Malik sa tour ng banda sa Pilipinas, dahil umano sa “stress”. Lumabas ang balitang ito nang sagutin niya ang kumakalat na balitang hindi sila okay ng kanyang fiancée na si Perrie Edwards ng bandang Little Mix.