Chris Brown Confirms Split With Girlfriend And Acknowledges Rihanna Friendship

4 October 2012, 17:21 | Updated: 4 October 2012, 17:29

The 'Turn Up The Music' star ends his relationship with Karrueche Tran after being seen with Rihanna.

Chris Brown has confirmed that he has split up with his girlfriend Karrueche Tran.

It follows reports that the 'Don't Wake Me Up' star had ended his relationship with Karreuche after he was spotted sitting next to ex-girlfriend Rihanna at a Jay-Z gig in New York on Wednesday (3rd October).

In a statement issued via TMZ, Chris highlighted his renewed friendship with RiRi as one of the reasons that the couple had decided to break-up.

"I have decided to be single to focus on my career. I love Karrueche very much but I don't want to see her hurt over my friendship with Rihanna," he said.

"I'd rather be single allowing us to both be happy in our lives."

Chris Brown and Rihanna split in 2009, but have since become friends again:

Chris Brown and Rihanna dated for two years before splitting in February 2009 after Chris assaulted RiRi ahead of the Grammy Awards.

The pair have since re-kindled their friendship, with Rihanna confirming in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that she still loved her former boyfriend.