Making it official? Zayn and Perrie just took a HUGE step together

A lot has happened since Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards got engaged back in 2013. Not only has their relationship been rocked by more than one cheating scandal, in March Zayn also made the life-changing decision to quit One Direction and move home to the UK.

While it's uncertain whether the young couple will be walking down the aisle any time soon, this week they made a huge step together towards long-term commitment. According to The Sun, Zayn and Perrie have signed the deed on a £3m (€4.1m) mansion just outside London.

The luxury home, once owned by a Premier League football star, has six bedrooms and five bathrooms split across two wings. It also comes equipped with an orangery, kennels, a 25-acre garden and a three-bedroom guest cottage, if Zayn wants to have any of his former bandmates over to stay. "They're engaged and need somewhere they can both call home – and this house is it," a source told the newspaper.

The pair have been looking for a house together since Zayn's shock 1D departure four months ago, and in late March were seen viewing a seven-bedroom property in Hertfordshire.

It seems the purchase of a new home is the couple's way of giving two fingers to their critics too – it's Zayn and Perrie's way of letting the public know they are rock solid. "This is a big statement by Perrie and Zayn," the source explained.

"They've had to shoot down rumours of a split after his exit from the band and this is both of them showing everyone just how serious they are."

The lavish home is just half an hour from central London, and the source said Zayn and Perrie both feel it will be a "safe haven" for them away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. We can't wait for our invite to the house-warming…