Liam Payne, 26, and Maya Henry, 20, are ENGAGED! Model is seen showing off dazzling £3million ring

Liam Payne and his girlfriend Maya Henry are engaged after dating for two years, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

The former One Direction heartthrob 26, popped the question with a dazzling diamond ring that set him back an eye-watering £3 million. 

Texan-born model Maya, 20, was seen sporting the ring when she enjoyed a romantic meal with her new fiancé at London’s upscale Novikov on Thursday night. 

A source at the restaurant told MailOnline that Maya was proudly showing off her engagement ring during the evening.  

The couple looked stylish for their night on the town together, with Maya catching the eye in a deeply plunging black gown.

Standing tall in matching strappy heels, she staved off the chilly night air with a leather jacket, while toting a small black handbag.

Liam showed off his sartorial flair in a patterned gold shirt, which he left unbuttoned enough to display his bare chest and gold medallion.

Teaming his cuffed shirt with a pair of slim-cut black trousers, the singer rounded out his smart ensemble with a pair of brown Chelsea boots. 

News of their engagement has remained under wraps largely because the big proposal took place during lockdown.

The couple’s engagement stands in stark contrast to rumours circulating back in February, when sources had claimed that they’d quietly gone their separate ways.

However, a source close to the lovebirds told MailOnline at the time that they were ‘definitely still a couple and are very happy together’.

The friend explained they were taking their romance off social media, adding: ‘Maya and Liam are definitely still a couple and are very happy together.

‘Both have been taking time off social media lately and enjoying each other’s company away from the spotlight.’

Such were their efforts in enjoying their romance in private that the pair weren’t seen in public together for several months, only being spotted this summer.

In June, they united in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests in London, holding hands and donning black ensembles as they walked among the crowds.

They’ve been seen enjoying romantic meals together and linking arms during strolls through the English capital. 

The pair were first linked back in August 2018 shortly after Liam’s high-profile split from Cheryl, 37, with whom he shares son Bear, three.

However, they first set eyes on each other three years earlier, when they were pictured together at a meet-and-greet event when One Direction fan Maya was 15. 

It wasn’t until September 2019 that Liam publicly spoke about his blossoming romance, while promoting his single Stack It Up.

He said during an appearance on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp: ‘We’re fairly happy at the moment. I’m just past the point of where I’m bothered or not.

‘It’s not worth my happiness; I’d just rather go out and do what I want. I’ve got nothing to hide.’ 

That same month, Liam made things Instagram official, when he took to the image-sharing platform to upload a heartwarming snap of him laughing and hugging Maya.

Captioning the snap, he wrote: ‘Sometimes I don’t recognise this happy guy… sure glad you brought him back though.

‘This has been the most amazing release week to date! Massive thank you to all my team for helping setting it all up and making it run smooth.

‘Then last but not least this one @maya_henry for always keeping the biggest smile on my face through all the stress and making me realise how perfect my life really is. Love you all let’s stack this sh** up.’

Brunette beauty Maya wrote in response: ‘So proud of you and so glad we can be happy together. Stack it up biisshhh.’ [sic] 

In September 2019, fans also saw Liam attempt to get hold of his girlfriend via public Instagram comments, after his Whatsapp messages failed to deliver.

Maya had posted a drooling and fire emoji on a shirtless photo of Liam on Instagram to which Liam responded: ‘thank you baby…my messages won’t go through on your WhatsApp.’ 

Fans were quick to air their speculation as to why the star couldn’t get hold of his girlfriend, with some saying he was blocked, while others hailed them as a cute couple, with further fans urging Maya to check her WhatsApp.   

The pair have been inseparable since making their relationship public in September of last year, but have kept things decidedly low-key.

In October, Liam spoke out about his turbulent love life with MTV News, revealing that ‘many girls’ broke his heart in the past but said Maya ‘completely’ has his back.

‘Honestly with love, I think you don’t really understand it until it gives you that sting, it took a long time for me,’ Liam said.

‘Something really hurt me and it kind of made me appreciate love and people a lot more, for the longest time, living such an exposed life made dating really hard.

‘I’ve found someone who’s genuinely my best friend, she’s just so relaxed about everything and someone who’s completely got your back with everything is just the wildest thing.’