London, Oct 22 : Robbie Williams has quit Take That for a second time to join Universal for his solo career, a little over a year after the band reunited.

The singer – who also ended his relationship with struggling record label EMI – has seen his popularity soar since he re-joined Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.

As a reformed five-piece, the boyband recorded a new album and went on a sell-out European tour.

It is estimated the reunion added 10million pounds to Williams’s bank balance.

But the 37-year-old has revealed that he had signed a solo record deal with Universal Music and will release an album, produced by Barlow, next autumn.

“I’m really thrilled to be joining the Universal family at what I think is the most exciting time in my career,” the Daily Mail quoted Williams as saying.

Williams announced that his ninth solo studio album will be released next autumn - and he looks very much exited about it.

Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge added: “What a thrill this announcement is.”

“To be working with Robbie and his team, and to have the opportunity to support this incredible stage of his career, makes life so exciting,” he said. (ANI)