7 Things You Didn't Know About 1D ►► https://youtu.be/x_A3BL0pJG0 More Celebrity News ►► http://bit.ly/SubClevverNews Please bow your heads in mourning and deepest sympathies. We are gathered here today to announce that ZAYN MALIK HAS OFFICIALLY LEFT ONE DIRECTION. This is not a drill. This is not speculation. It’s official ya’ll. The One Direction Facebook page released a lengthy statement this morning saying QUOTE - “After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction. Niall, Harry, Liam and Louis will continue as a four-piece and look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour and recording their fifth album, due to be released later this year.” An anecdote directly from Zayn was also included in the statement saying QUOTE - "My life with 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. 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. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world." In addition to Zayn’s personal statement, a collective post from Harry, Niall, Liam, and Louis was also posted saying QUOTE – “We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends. The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour." SO MANY FEELS. On one hand, yes we all pretty much saw this coming, but it’s still shocking now that the day has unfortunately come. 1D founder Simon Cowell also made a statement saying QUOTE - "I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond - and immensely proud - of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band." I know this is hard Directioners, but take it from someone who has lived through a few band break-ups in the past with the likes of N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys, your pain WILL heal with time. Everything happens for a reason and this doesn’t mean Zayn doesn’t love you. As humans we go through changes and Zayn has spent a good chunk of his life devoted to us and now it’s his turn to take some time for himself. We wish you the best Zayn and we know this is not goodbye, but see you later…can I get a tissue? While I get myself together, please leave your last words in the comment section below, don’t forget to subscribe, and then click right over here to check out a rundown of some little known facts about 1D…in their original 5 man form. Thanks for enduring this painful time with us here on Clevver News, I’m Dana Ward, telling you to keep your head up and we’ll get through this together. For More Clevver Visit: Website: http://www.clevver.com Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/ClevverNews Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ClevverNews Keep up with us on Instagram: http://instagr.am/Clevver Add us to your circles on Google+: http://google.com/+ClevverNews Tweet Me: http://www.twitter.com/danawardonline