Neil Diamond Joins Springsteen, Dylan and Others in Landmark Deal to Sell Entire Music CatalogThe iconic songwriter's multi-decade collection will now belong to Universal Music Group.

A number of legacy artists have made headlines of late for selling their catalogs in blockbuster deals worth hundreds of millions. The latest to hand over their reigns and rights is legendary artist Neil Diamond, whoannounced a dealthis week to sell his collected works to Universal Music Group (UMG).

The landmark agreement includes transfers of rights to all of Diamond's song and master recordings (including 32 studio albums and eight live albums), as well as an additional 110 unreleased tracks and an unreleased album.

Related:Bob Dylan's Entire Music Catalog Sold for Estimated $200 Million

UMG will also retain the rights to release any future music that Diamond should record. "Neil Diamond is by definition, a truly universal songwriter. His immense songbook and recordings encompass some of the most cherished and enduring songs in music history," said UMG CEO and chairman, Sir Lucian Grainge, in astatement toBillboard. "Through our existing partnership, we are honored to have earned his trust to become the permanent custodians of his monumental musical legacy."

As Grainge's comment suggests, this isn't the first time UMG has had an ownership stake in Diamond's output. He wassigned to MCA Recordsbetween 1968 and 1972, and MCA would eventually come under UMG ownership decades later. The latest deal seeks to take all of Diamond's released, unreleased and future recordings and put them in one singular home.

"After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together, and I feel confident in the knowledge that Lucian, Jody (Gerson, chairman and CEO of UMPG), Bruce (Resnikoff, president and CEO, Universal Music Enterprises), Michelle (Jubelirer, chair and CEO, Capitol Music Group) and the global team at UMG, will continue to represent my catalogue and future releases with the same passion and integrity that have always fueled my career," Diamond saidin a statement.

Related:Bruce Springsteen to Sell Catalog for $500 Million in Biggest Transaction for an Artist Ever

No monetary value was disclosed in the announcement of the deal.

Diamond joins other legendary artists likeBob DylanandBruce Springsteen每个出售他们的音乐目录几个月s ago for an estimated $200 million and $500 million, respectively.