X Factor winner Matt Cardle signs new record deal with Sony Music

2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle has signed a brand new record deal.

Matt beat One Direction, Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson to victory on The X Factor seven years in the most watched series ever.

However his chart career never really took off and Matt split with his original record company Columbia 18 months after winning the show.

Since then Matt has been writing and touring with his own music – as well as making appearances on stage in the West End – but has now signed a new record deal.

Matt has revealed to The Sun newspaper that he’s joined forces with Sony Music to release a brand new album.

“Signing this new deal with Sony is one of the proudest moments of my life,” Matt said. “After the highs of X Factor I sank to the darkest places I’ve ever been.

“But after overcoming addiction I finally found myself in a place where I was ready and able to create the album I have always wanted to. I then spent three years pouring blood, sweat and tears plus all my darkness and my hope into this album.”

Matt added: “I have come home to Sony but I’m in control this time.”

Matt will no doubt be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow X Factor alum James Arthur.

He too split from his record company shortly after winning, only to be resigned last year before topping both the single and album charts with new music.