Leeds United have thanked ‘champion’ Barry Douglas for his contribution to their Premier League promotion after the left back sealed his switch to Rovers on a season-long loan deal.

Douglas was the first of Leeds’ promotion-winning side to seal a move away from Elland Road, leading to Director of Football Victor Orta to write an open letter to the new Rovers recruit.

The 31-year-old was part of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad which won promotion to the Premier League last term, but like when he achieved the same feat with Wolves in 2018, was allowed to leave the club in the summer.

Douglas’ time at Elland Road appears to be at an end, with his deal expiring at the end of this season which he will spend at Ewood Park, and boss Bielsa said it was owing to the number of other left back options that led to them sanctioning the switch.

The Argentinian said: “It makes me very sad that he has left our team because during the two years he has been with us he has made a significant contribution and he's an impeccable professional and a very respected member within the team.

“At left-back I opted for Dallas, (Ezgjan) Alioski and (Leif) Davis ahead of Douglas.

“He's a player who has given huge effort and I regret a little bit that he wasn't able to triumph with us.

“Finally it was decided between myself, the club and Douglas that he should leave for Blackburn. I wish him all the best because he really deserves it. He is a player who is full of virtues and has done some very important things for us."

Orta went a little further than Bielsa, posting a 500-word open letter to Douglas which was published on the club’s website.

The Scot played 45 times across two seasons for Leeds and was identified as a key signing for Bielsa after his appointment in 2018.

As for the reasoning behind the letter, Orta wrote: “I felt I should write this open letter to express my thanks, but also to ensure the supporters know just how big your impact has been.”

He went on to say: “I know a lot of people also believe that your arrival at the club sparked a change in the dressing room too.

“You are a positive influence. I have seen first-hand how you have taken the younger players in the squad under your wing and given them important advice and it is clear to everybody that you are very popular amongst the senior players at the club.

“Our communications team always feeds back to me when players have gone above and beyond in the community and he has constantly informed me how much you have done for people in this city. You care and you are a good person.

“I understand why you are leaving.  You are a proper professional and you want to play and I respect that greatly. You leave us as a champion on the pitch and I hope now people understand that you are a champion off the field too.”