After much speculation about her future, Taylor Swift has signed a new global recording contract with Universal Music Group (UMG).

Under the multi-year agreement, UMG will serve as the exclusive worldwide recorded music partner for Swift, while UMG’s Republic Records will serve as her label partner in the US.

Swift’s recordings were previously signed to indie Big Machine Records and distributed via Universal on a worldwide basis.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said, “Few artists in history approach Taylor Swift’s combination of massive global hits and creative brilliance. She is so multi-talented, she can achieve anything.

“I have such enormous respect for Taylor, in particular for her use of her hard-earned influence to promote positive change. Because of her commitment to her fellow artists, not only did she want to partner with a company that understood her creative vision and had the resources and expertise to execute globally on her behalf, she also sought a partner whose approach to artists was aligned with hers.

“With these shared beliefs, there is so much we can accomplish together, and all of us at UMG are enormously proud to be embarking on the next chapter of her career alongside her.”

“Because of Taylor’s commitment to her fellow artists, not only did she want to partner with a company that understood her creative vision and had the resources and expertise to execute globally on her behalf, she also sought a partner whose approach to artists was aligned with hers.” Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Group

Monte Lipman, founder and CEO, of Republic Records said, “Taylor has not only captured the imagination of an entire generation, but has also redefined the paradigm of the modern music industry.

“Her commitment to songwriting and performing has earned her the respect of her peers and millions of adoring fans around the world. I can only imagine what Taylor is capable of achieving in the years to come, both culturally and creatively. I’m beyond thrilled to create an alliance with Republic Records and the incomparable Taylor Swift.”

A ten-time Grammy winner, Swift is the youngest-ever recipient of the Grammy for Album of the Year – and the first female solo artist to win the award twice.

She is the only artist in history with four albums with US sales of more than one million copies in their first week of release (2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s RED, 2014’s 1989 and 2017’s reputation), respectively.

Swift’s latest album, Reputation, was the biggest-selling album of 2017, and went No. 1 in over 111 countries on iTunes’ sales charts upon release.Music Business Worldwide