(Photo : Twitter) 

"After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction," the band's Facebook page says. "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."

Malik added a statement: "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 apologise 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."

Zayn was recently rocked with scandal before he left the One Direction tour, which may have contributed to his decision to get out of the spotlight.

Fans swarmed Twitter with pleas to Zayn to change his decision.

@MTVUK @zaynmalik IVE BEEN THRU ALOT AND THE BOYS MADE MY LIFE BECOME A HAPPIER PLACE PLEASE DONT LEAVE US ZAYN I BEG YOU #zaynpain

— ZAYN DONT LEAVE US (@radicalIharry) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik we need you zayn, we love you, please dont leave us — ana,,! (@xhoranwifi) March 25, 2015

If this is what you want, the whole fandom will support you and love you for the rest of our lives. @zaynmalik — Molly Night☁️ (@MollyNight) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik how can I close my eyes and enjoy the roller coaster that is life if you're not in it — ZAYN STAY (@OnceInALouTime) March 25, 2015

It's the saddest day so far in our fandom.. but we have to support his decision. We will miss you @ZaynMalik , you'll always be with us. — 1D Updates NOW :) (@1DUpdatesNOW) March 25, 2015

We're half a heart without you @zaynmalik — zach (@niallsmyhoran) March 25, 2015

The supportive hashtag "#AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik" was trending worldwide, as was the not-so-sensitive hashtag "#ReplaceZayn."

Let's get something straight, nobody can replace Zayn... Kay bye. #ReplaceZayn — Alecia Bravo (@AleciaBravo) March 25, 2015

So @zaynmalik is [peace]ing out of @onedirection...is it OK to replace him? Who fills his extremely talented shoes? #ReplaceZayn — Zach Sang (@ZachSang1) March 25, 2015

Maybe one of the #glee cast can be in @onedirection, now that the show is over and Zayn just left. #ReplaceZayn — Karen (@Rebvecka) March 25, 2015

"Two Directions" was also trending worldwide.

one direction? more like two directions hahahahaha eh? — logan (@loganptfc) March 25, 2015

So One Direction is going… in Two Directions — Fill Werrell (@FillWerrell) March 25, 2015

Looks like One Direction is now splitting into two directions — Gordon (@ABCDEFGORDON) March 25, 2015

Zayn left One Direction. Does that mean there now are Two Directions? — Antti (@Laporttila) March 25, 2015

One Direction will continue as a four-man band.

The band members' statement said they were "really sad" to Malik go.

"But we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future," the statement said. "The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends."

"We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour."