A match made in pop heaven: One Direction and Ed Sheeran enjoy a game of football as they take time out from recording a new track together

They're the hottest boy band in the UK, and have made waves in the US thanks to their recent tour.



And One Direction have now enlisted their A-list pal, Ed Sheeran, to appear on a new track which will appear on their eagerly-anticipated second album.



In a match that is made in pop heaven, the band and the A Team hit maker have been recording their collaboration in secret in a Buckinghamshire studio.



Pop pals: Ed Sheeran and One Direction's Liam Payne shared a joke as they headed out for a game of football

But the lads decided to take some time out from their musical activities to enjoy an impromptu game of football yesterday afternoon.

Niall Horan, 18, treated the group to a spot of acoustic guitar as the gang relaxed in the studio's garden.



And it wasn't long before they were all up and about having a kick around.



Cooling down: Niall Horan removed his top as the group's game intensified



Time out: Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne enjoyed a kick about as they took a break from recording their collaboration with Ed Sheeran



Ed, as well as Niall, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne got fully involved in the game, while Harry Styles - showing off his arm muscles in a grey tank top - and Zayn Malik used the time to relax on comfortable outdoor sofas.



It seemed Irish Niall was keen to lap up a spot of sun during his time out from recording, with him removing his yellow T-shirt to play the rest of the game shirtless.



If their Twitter pages are anything to go by, it would appear One Direction are excited about the release of their second album, and in particular, their collaboration with Ed.



Relaxing: Harry Styles chose to spend his time off chilling out on a comfortable sofa

Niall wrote: 'What a great day in the studio with @edsheeran @JakeGosling ! Goin home! #upthelads ya can't bate the lads.'



Meanwhile, Liam tweeted: 'I cant wait for you guys to hear the new albummm !!!'



Singer-songwriter Ed penned a track for the boys' first album, Up All Night, and has previously spoken about his friendship with Harry.



He told Xfm: 'I have a tune that I think they're recording for their album that I wrote. They're really cool guys.



'Harry's a lad - I was with him last night actually. Being in music you're quite segregated from everyone and you're always busy doing promo.



'When you're on the same promo run as someone or in the same kind of situation as someone you grow quite close, friendship-wise. He's a very cool guy.'

Showbiz friends: The group seemed to be in good spirits and were spotted laughing and joking together



