Usher, wife Grace Miguel separate: 'We remain deeply connected'

March 7 (UPI) -- Usher and wife Grace Miguel are calling it quits.

The 39-year-old singer and Miguel confirmed their separation in a joint statement Tuesday after more than two years of marriage and nearly 10 years together.

"After much thought and consideration, we have mutually decided to separate as a couple," the pair told People.

"We remain deeply connected, loving friends who will continue supporting each other through the next phases of our lives," they said. "The enormous amount of love and respect that we have for each other will only increase as we move forward."

Sources told Us Weekly Usher and Miguel have been separated for "a couple months." Usher had mentioned a "new era" in an Instagram post in February while getting a new tattoo.

"new era // new ink ft. @_dr_woo_," he captioned a photo with tattoo artist Doctor Woo.

Usher and Miguel got engaged in January 2015, and secretly wed later that year. The singer was previously married to Tameka Foster, and shares two sons, 10-year-old Usher Raymond and 9-year-old Naviyd Ely, with his ex-wife.