EU heads sign Brexit deal

The European Union's two most senior figures have signed off on the deal that will take the United Kingdom out of the bloc next week.

"European Council President Charles Michel and I have just signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, opening the way for its ratification by the European Parliament," President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.

Members of the European Parliament will now vote on ratifying the deal that will enable the UK to exit on Jan. 31.

The deal was officially made an Act of Parliament on Thursday, after the queen granted it royal assent.

"Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain," Michel said on Twitter. "We start a new chapter as partners and allies."

The next steps include negotiating the details of a trade deal between the EU and the UK.