Adam Armstrong admits feeling wanted by Rovers was a key reason behind his decision to return to Ewood Park on a permanent deal.

Armstrong has signed a four-year contract after finishing last season on loan, scoring nine goals to help fire Tony Mowbray’s side to promotion.

The England Under-21 international has joined from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee, reported to be an initial £1.75m which could rise to around £3m with add-ons.

The 21-year-old will reunite himself with Mowbray, having also worked with him during a loan spell at Coventry in 2015/16.

On being back at Rovers, Armstrong said: “It’s an amazing feeling. I enjoyed my time here last season and it was a no-brainer to come back. The lads have been texting me every day since I left, asking when I was coming back.

“It’s nice to feel wanted and it’s nice to feel at home, so it was a pretty easy decision in the end.

“Signing here is huge - I call it my second home now - so it’s going to be a great four years for me.”

Armstrong has experience of the Championship having spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Barnsley - where he scored six times, as well as the first six months of last season with Bolton Wanderers.

Having been with boyhood club Newcastle since the age of nine, Armstrong admits it is a big move for him to make, but believes Rovers will be the right fit.

He added: “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, because I’ve been at Newcastle all my life, but I’m sure I’ll settle in quickly.

“It’s what’s best for me, and both me and my family think it’s the right time to move on and challenge myself somewhere else and I don’t think there’s a better club than Blackburn Rovers to do that with.

“I won’t worry too much about leaving Newcastle because I’m at another great club and I can get my head down now, really kick on and show people what I can do.”

Armstrong was understood to be keen on returning to East Lancashire following the expiry of his loan deal.

The attacker revealed there had been other clubs interested in him, but it was Rovers who were always his first choice.

“There were quite a few clubs who were interested,” said Armstrong who will wear the number seven shirt.

“It’s a massive step in my career, so I needed to make the right decision. As soon as Blackburn Rovers came in, there was no way I could turn it down.

“Everything was done for me here and I want to do everything I can to repay them.”